Only a privileged few get to raise the official 12 flag at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field and hear the roaring crowd chant SEA-HAWKS. But thanks to an update to the Seahawks official app, fans everywhere can virtually get in on the ritual of raising football fandom’s most recognizable flag.
Since the Seahawks will be on the road in Atlanta to take on the Falcons in a divisional playoff game this Saturday, there will be no ceremony at the team’s home stadium. But fans armed with a smartphone and a 12 flag or 12 rally card can experience the flag raising in augmented reality via the team’s app.
Users point their phone camera at the 12, an animated flag pole appears and — with the volume way up — a Seahawks chant starts. The 12 flag can be raised by swiping on the phone screen.
The whole process only works with the right 12 flag or card — we tried pointing our app at a Bob Marley record (don’t ask) and nothing happened. Here’s a video showing what it all looks like:
It could be a fun distraction as Seahawks faithful gear up for kickoff this Saturday (1:35 p.m. PT on Fox). Fans are encouraged to share images of their flag-raising experience on social media using the hashtags #Seahawks and #WeAre12.