Don’t miss this pregame show
Wanda Snipes is an unabashed member of an undistinguished group.
She’s had her face painted with Seattle Seahawks metallic blue, navy blue, slate gray and white. There’s also her blue wig, in dire need of a thorough comb-out, and her 1999 special edition Seahawks football jersey, which set her back $85.
“I’ve also got some helmet tattoos I can throw on my cheeks,” Snipes said.
Indeed. No pride to show her pride.
Snipes, a 49-year-old former Kmart employee, is the past president of the Spokane Sea Hawkers Booster Club. Although she relinquished her title at the start of the 2005 season, after five years in charge, she remains the face of a passionate fan.
Sunday afternoon can’t come quickly enough for Snipes and fellow Northwest football fans as the Seahawks host the Carolina Panthers for the NFC Championship. It’s been 21 years since Seattle was in this position, one win away from the Super Bowl. It is one of seven NFL franchises that have never played in the Super Bowl.
Through the ups and downs, Snipes and the Spokane Sea Hawkers have remained true to their team, gathering at various restaurants and sports spots on NFL Sundays for camaraderie and the hope of celebration. This week’s “game watch,” which is the official name of the club activity, will be at Northern Quest Casino.
Gatherings, gift giveaways and drink specials are planned throughout the region, making the day feel more like a Super Bowl Sunday than Championships Sunday.
“I’ve talked to so many people this year, and it feels like Seahawk fans are waiting for the team to screw it up, waiting for the other shoe to drop,” said Tim Fackenthall, president of the Spokane Sea Hawkers since Snipes stepped down in September 2005.
“But the other shoe has dropped … and it was a win (against the Washington Redskins),” Fackenthall added, using cockeyed logic, the true sign of a subjective sports fan.
Fackenthall joined the Spokane Sea Hawkers three years ago and is considered one of the youngsters at age 28. A Seahawks fan since childhood, he got involved with the club through his colleagues at Discount Garden Supply on East Trent Avenue. Five of the six employees are members.
Founded by Paul Fitzhugh in 1985, the club has had as many as 250 dues-paying members and as few as 100. About 40 of the 120 members attended last week’s monthly meeting at Maxwell House restaurant. Members pay $15 for individual or $25 for family dues which goes toward a membership card, newsletter subscription, club meeting and year-round activities.
Fackenthall said only a handful of members are fortunate and financially sound enough to be season ticket holders and be at Sunday’s game. Fackenthall attended his first game last year, a satisfying 34-0 blowout against San Francisco on the day of the Spokane Sea Hawkers’ yearly game outing.
Snipes and her husband, Brian, were season ticket holders, but gave them up two seasons ago. It wasn’t due to lack of interest.
“I see more of the game and pay better attention watching it on TV,” said Snipes, a Sea Hawkers member since 1999. “When I was at the games, I’d be saying, ‘Wow, look, there’s a fight over there,’ or ‘That guy is being hauled off by the cops.’ “
Now, the Snipes’ closest contact with the team is at the summer training camp in Cheney. They watch the games with the Sea Hawkers.
“But I still get decked out, depending on the importance of the game,” she said.
Sunday’s ensemble will be as carefully put together as an actor attending a Hollywood awards show. Snipes plans to wear her limited-edition jersey, Seahawks logo pajama bottoms, her blue wig and a headband trimmed in Seahawk helmets.
She said she’ll leave the face paint behind, but likely will slap on a few wash-off tattoos.