Hawks Fans Rock The Lower

— by Lin McNulty —

Bartenders Kyle and Vanessa, both Seahawks fans, were too busy to watch the game. Photo: Lin McNulty

It may not have been exactly a seismic event at The Lower Tavern, but, unlike at CenturyLink Field, there were no seismographs installed to know exactly the amount of shake and tremor that rocked the house during the New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks football play-off game. So we can’t be sure.

This was the place to be on Orcas Island on Saturday afternoon as the Seahawks defeated the Saints. The Lower was filled to standing room only with many, many a 12th Man.

What we do know, unscientifically—without a doubt—is that The Lower crowd, although as enthused and boisterous as could be, did not break the CenturyLink noise level Guinness Record level of 136.6 decibels. My smartphone app “only” recorded a reading of 115.6 decibels, which is considered “defeaning” at prolonged exposure—about half way between a fireworks display (120 decibels) and being close to a train (110 decibels).

As opposed to CenturyLink, most of the hooting and hollering at this venue was for the Seahawks’ offense. Crowd noise at the actual stadium is a proven method of deafening the other team’s offense when they have the ball.

The best news of all is that the Seahawks, an eight-point favorite going into the game, beat the Saints by exactly eight points—23-15. So, next weekend they play again, and the crowd again gathers at The Lower. If they win again next weekend, they will be the NFC champions and going to the Super Bowl!

Photo: Lin McNulty