NFL fans from the Central Okanagan got an experience they'll never forget on Sunday, Oct. 27.
The group of about 40 people went down to Seattle for a sports-filled weekend. The event was in conjunction with the Seattle Seahawks hosting and celebrating their Canadian fans, who are called 12North. Fitting, the Seahawks were taking on the Buffalo Bills, a team with another large Canadian fan base.
The weekend was organized by Lake Country's Derek Jory, who is currently in his second year as a contractor with the Seattle Seahawks, helping run the Seahawks Canada social media channels. He previously worked for NFL Canada and the Vancouver Canucks, and .
In recent years, the Seahawks started celebrating their Canadian fans once a year. Last year, Jory suggested bringing a group of fans down to the game, which the team was all in on. This year was the second annual 12North trip.
The group of fans got the ultimate experience on Sunday as on top of going to the game, they attended the Ticketmaster tailgate party, got to watch the teams warm up on the sidelines and trot both the Canadian and American flags onto Lumen Field for the national anthems in front of more than 68,000 fans.
When the Seahawks approached Jory about having this year's group bring the flags on the field, he wasn't sure what that included.
"I didn't really know what that would entail," said Jory, "If they get to come onto the field, I think we can pretty much convince them to do anything."
The group included hardcore Seahawks fans and people who had never been to an NFL game before.
"I just tried to find a mix of great people that I knew were going to be energy and enthusiasm, and that great Canadian spirit and friendliness that we have," said Jory.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, the 40 people were at the stadium for a dress rehearsal before the main event.
"Thank goodness we did [the dress rehearsal] because there's a lot more to holding a flag in front of a sold-out arena with the anthem playing and the Seahawks running onto the field and helicopters flying overhead," said Jory.
And when it was time to bring out the flags for real, the weather cooperated just in time.
"We're in the tunnel and it was just pouring outside and then all of a sudden the skies parted, the rain stopped, and next thing we know we're being called onto the field," said Jory.
"It was a huge moment of pride for me," said Jory. "My daughter Mabel was beside me, my son and his couple buddies came on the trip, they were across from me and just seeing their faces and smiles, and everyone in our group really, you could just tell this meant so much."
After the Canadian flag, the group had to run off the field, grab the American flag, and head back out there.
"We all saw the irony in Canadians carrying out the American flag," said Jory. "But that was pretty awesome. You're right hugged against the opponents sidelines. Josh Allen's right behind them, Damar Hamlin was right behind me."
During the American national anthem, three MH-47G Chinooks and a MH60M Blackhawk Helicopters flew over the stadium.
"I've had a lot of moments in sports and this one is right up there, top five for sure," said Jory. "It's not often you get to kind of hand pick a bus full of your best friends in the world to go down and do something so cool."
Jory added seeing everyone go through the experience for the first time reminded him of his time working for the Canucks in their social media department, as he would follow the rookies on the team as they experienced different arenas and cities for the first time.
Photographer Matt Ferguson and videographer Owen Clark were on the trip and captured footage for everyone to see.
Everyone had a great time, despite the Seahawks losing 31-10.
Once the game concluded, the group got to head back onto the field for a group photo with a Seahawks group from Germany before heading back to Kelowna.
"I'm proud to bring down all these Canadian, 12North Seahawks fans," said Jory. "The green and blue, mix it with some red and white and some Canadian tuxedo denim and we had a good time."
