Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's 'out there' today — Thursday, August 6th — about your Seattle Seahawks:
Griffin Brothers At Forefront Of League's 'NFL Votes' Initiative
This morning, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the launch of 'NFL Votes,' an initiative aimed at getting people registered to vote and encouraging civic engagement. The league is teaming up with three nonprofit organizations — Rock the Vote, RISE to Vote, and I Am a Voter — to help get the vote out. Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, along with head coach Pete Carroll, are among the voices of the initiative, featuring a video highlighting how only 60% of eligible Americans voted in 2016.
Natives of St. Petersburg, Fla., an area with low voter registration, the Griffin twins want to help people dispel the notion
that their vote doesn't count. "We are using the platform we have, we can change people who feel that way, change their view and get them out to vote," Shaquill told the Associated Press. "It's important they understand, 'You are people who can really make change.'"
The Seahawks are no stranger to civic engagement. The team encouraged fans to get registered to vote back on Independence Day on Instagram, and earlier this month CenturyLink Field and the Seahawks partnered with King County Elections to turn the stadium into a vote center for the August 4 primary election.
D.J. Reed's Long Road To The League
The Seahawks made a roster move on Wednesday, claiming former 49ers defensive back D.J. Reed off of waivers. Reed appeared in 31 games over the past two seasons in San Francisco, but a torn pectoral muscle, which occurred during an offseason workout, resulted in him being waived with a non-football injury designation.
Last month, D. Scott Fritchen at GoPowercat.com talked to Reed about the moment he considered his arrival onto the national football scene while at Kansas State -- a pick-six off of then-Texas Tech QB and reigning NFL Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes.
"'I was just so happy,' Reed said. 'All that hard work paid off for that big moment I'd waited for my whole life. Especially it being Mahomes, it meant a lot.'"
In the story, Reed goes on to detail his journey to the NFL, which included a stint at Fresno State, a JuCo stop and walking on at Kansas State, all after receiving zero scholarship offers out of high school. The long road to success taught the young safety some valuable lessons: "The secret to success is not even a secret," Reed told Fritchen. "It's hard work and not being complacent. You get exposed if you're complacent." Give it a read to learn more about the newest Seahawk.
Social Post Of The Day
Russell Wilson and Ciara are making a statement in Ciara's childhood home of Atlanta.
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle has details on the team’s waiver claim of former 49ers defensive back D.J. Reed on Wednesday.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell goes team-by-team and projects which active NFL stars have the best shot to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Four Seahawks currently make his list, along with some former Hawks like Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.
John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle gives his perspective on the Seahawks’ 2020 offseason moves.
The News Tribune's Gregg Bell examines how second-year safety Marquise Blair can improve a Seattle defense that ranked 26th in total defense in 2019.
