Paddling to victory: Seahawks rookies bond during Lake Washington canoe adventure
SEATTLE — No, the NFL isn't moving its game to water.
But Pete Carroll, ever the creative coach, found a way to get the newest Seahawks players to learn the Hawks way.
Carroll called in the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and had the team’s rookies take to Lake Washington on Muckleshoot canoes. It helps that the Virginia Mason Athletic Center is right on the lake, but it didn't help that many of the rookies weren't totally enthralled with taking to the chilly waters.
"No. Never again," joked rookie defensive end Mike Morris, a fifth-round pick out of Michigan.
"I was worried about our guys, some of the guys aren't as comfortable in the water as others and they kind of expressed that as soon as we got away from the dock," said Carroll.
Some players fell in, and some joked about the fear of their teammates. But all came away with a new experience they didn't quite expect when the day started.
Certainly, it's the type of setting and activity that the Pacific Northwest excels at. The team building and unique, but incredibly strong, team bond is something the Seahawks pride themselves on.
So, the lesson is there and it's valuable.
"Allowing us as a rookie class to grow even closer together, it's been a great experience just being able to get to know the guys and bond with them. I really enjoyed it," said rookie running back Zach Charobonnet, a second-round pick from UCLA.
The 2023 season will undoubtedly have some choppy waters and uncertain points of adversity, Tuesday's canoe trip could be the first of that type that shows these first-time NFL players the building blocks of success in the pros.