For the long haul

RENTON, Wash. – Kam Chancellor got the full treatment, from the use of the Seahawks’ giant auditorium to standing on stage flanked by his head coach and general manager holding up a jersey with his name stitched across the back.

It was meaningful because Chancellor never got that opportunity when he was drafted in the fifth round out of Virginia Tech.

“Obviously, this is a big deal and we’re trying to make a big deal out of this day for Kam,” Seattle general manager John Schneider said. “This is Kam’s day. Kam was a fifth-round draft pick. He hasn’t been able to experience something like this and hopefully he’s here for the rest of his career.”

Chancellor became the first member of Seattle’s standout secondary to be locked up for the long term when he signed a four-year extension on Monday that will keep the young safety under contract with the only organization he’s ever played for through the 2017 season.

Chancellor was Schneider’s top priority this offseason when it came to take care of players in-house. Sure the Seahawks made headlines with their trade for Percy Harvin and the signings of Cliff Avril and Antoine Winfield, but Schneider insisted none of those deals would have been consummated had they impacted Seattle’s ability to get a long-term contract done with Chancellor.

It was a promise the Seahawks made to Chancellor at the end of last season and followed through on. He is also the first player drafted with Schneider and coach Pete Carroll in command to receive an extension.

“I’ve got so many words it’s hard to throw them out there,” Chancellor said. “I just feel great right now. The Seahawks organization has blessed me. It just feels good. I’m a happy person right now.”

Chancellor, who turned 25 earlier this month, has grown from being a fifth-round pick in 2010 into the hard-hitting anchor in Seattle’s talented secondary. In 2011, he was a Pro Bowl selection in his first season as a starter.