Is it potential to have a genuinely nice time whereas doing one thing significant? On Saturday, July eleventh, the reply was an emphatic sure in Cheney Stadium, residence of the Tacoma Rainiers (the Triple-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners).
Two energetic Seattle Seahawks (and recent Tremendous Bowl champions), Rashid Shaheed and Uchenna Nwosu helped to host this 12 months’s Seattle All-Star Traditional. The 2026 iteration is the fifth annual occasion of this occasion, and it has carried out nothing however develop.
The principle occasions had been a house run derby, adopted by a 7-inning softball sport that helped to attach present and former Seahawks, native celebrities and civic leaders with the neighborhood at giant. There have been meet-and-greets, autograph alternatives, an surprising dance routine by Alaska Airways flight attendants and natural possibilities to talk with media in a relaxed setting (extra on that in a bit).
It additionally served to lift consciousness of and fundraise a various assortment of nonprofit organizations that do work to higher the Seattle/Tacoma space. There’s a good listing of companions and sponsors that contributed as properly. All through the day, play was paused for brief occasions to place a corporation on the massive display screen and converse to what they do.
Be taught extra about these organizations right here.
This occasion was co-founded by Kerry Carter (former member of the Seattle Seahawks and the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes) and Drew Dambreville (COO of Seattle Seawolves Rugby).
“In our fifth year, SASC is honored to introduce ‘Filling the Gap’. ‘Filling the Gap’ is our community initiative that will highlight (5) South Sound / Tacoma area nonprofits that work to solve inequities in:
EducationYouth SportsAcademic & LeadershipEconomic EmpowermentFood or Family Insecurities”
The members had been visibly having fun with their time competing and goofing round with one another, whereas concurrently together with followers within the levity. Plenty of Seahawks photos had been taken with younger followers, and I even noticed a child’s t-shirt being signed.
Just some of the notable friends included Lofa Tatupu (former Seahawk), Myles Gaskin (former UW Husky and Seahawk), Denzel Boston (former UW Husky and latest class of Cleveland Browns rookies), Brady Russell (present Seahawk), Casey Sadler (former Mariner), Insurgent Kel (skilled wrestler), Angela Rye (social justice advocate), Child Sensation (Seattle hip-hop legend), Kwame Appiah (Love is Blind star), Ray Wells Jr. (Staff USA and WSU observe and subject legend) and Blake Full of life (the skilled softball participant). There have been many extra influential folks, so right here is the total roster.
Through the softball portion of the proceedings, Nwosu’s “Dark Side” group in blue was dominating, 12-5 via 4 innings. Then, the Grasp of Ceremonies (Terry Hollimon) had them change dugouts to reverse any bizarre juju that was happening, and it labored! Shaheed’s “We Did Not Care” group in white stormed again, tied the sport and went on to win within the seventh and ultimate inning. Last rating: 18-17, in favor of Shaheed’s squad.
Shaheed was soaking all of it in with a giant smile. He spent essentially the most time with followers, signing autographs, answering questions and even selecting up a small child within the stands to take an image with. When the MC requested him if he could be going to the home this 12 months, “Shid” responded with a easy, “absolutely” that drew a refrain of cheers from the gang.
I requested him if successful a Tremendous Bowl title modifications his mindset heading into the brand new 12 months. His trustworthy reply was: “It was my first time making the playoffs, so just making sure I get my body right.”
He didn’t look too unhealthy for having performed an extended season than he was used to.
After I requested Brady Russell the identical query (if successful a Tremendous Bowl title modifications his mindset), his response was barely completely different, seeing as he has been with the Seahawks group for some time now. “I don’t think so… that’s where the trap is, thinking that you’ve made it”, Russell concluded, pointing as if to deal with the thought within the air instantly.
The aforementioned Blake Full of life gained the house run derby (and the accompanying trophy), by scoring 25 runs. After he stepped off, “Chenna” decried the unhealthy luck of getting to go after his spectacular efficiency.
I received an opportunity to stroll and discuss with Myles Gaskin, and requested about his outlook, after taking part in for seven completely different NFL groups, after which becoming a member of the Seattle Seahawks final 12 months as a type of homecoming for the beloved Husky. He listed a succinct three factors on what, if something, separated Mike Macdonald from different coaches he’s performed underneath: “Definitely. Practices were competitive. The standard was the standard; he didn’t change it for anybody. And, they had a vision for how the season was going to go.”
Lastly, I sat down with Lofa Tatupu (when he wasn’t belting fly balls) and requested him about why it mattered to him to participate on this explicit occasion. His preliminary response was only one phrase: “Community,” as he gestured in direction of the gang and his fellow gamers. On why he has invested in and stayed within the Seattle neighborhood:“They embraced a kid from Massachusetts. It’s not just because I played early, they embrace all of their players. It’s all about relationships, look around here. This is great.”
The Seattle All-Star Traditional additionally featured vendor cubicles, a Kids’s Play Space, Music, a Beer and Wine Backyard and Personal Suites for personal & company events.
A small sampling of earlier friends embrace Spencer Hawes (NBA 2007, First Spherical Draft Pick of UW, 12 12 months NBA Vet), Lil Mosey (Seattle recording artist), Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (3x OneFC Champion and 11x UFC Champion), Budda Baker (3 x All Professional, 6 x Professional Bowl; UW Consensus All American), Kam Chancellor (Seahawk Legend / 2 x All Professional, 4x Professional Bowl & Tremendous Bowl Champion) and DK Metcalf (Seahawks – All Professional, 2 x Professional Bowl).
For those who didn’t make it this 12 months, maintain ears and eyes out for subsequent 12 months’s expertise.
