Many fans of the Seattle Seahawks credit Paul Allen with saving football in the city. And his contributions will now be honored by adding his name to the list of legendary figures celebrated by the franchise.

Paul Allen was inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor before last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. The tribute is a fitting one for a man who purchased the Seahawks franchise in 1997 and raised its profile to a level that many did not think possible. Jody Allen is the current Seahawks Chair and Paul Allen’s sister. Ms. Allen will raise the 12 flag in honor of her brother before the start of Thursday’s game.

The 12s is the name given to the rabid fanbase that supports the Seahawks. Ms. Allen says Paul Allen and the 12s represent everything the Seahawks organization is built on. She says the fans are what her brother based his dream on when he first purchased the franchise.

Ms. Allen says her brother’s induction into the Seahawks Ring of Honor not only celebrates his contribution to the city of Seattle and the Seahawks Ring of Honor, but also the entire Pacific Northwest portion of the country.

Coach Pete Carroll says the salute to Allen is well-deserved. Carrol says Paul Allen was a great steward of the Seahawks organization and was an asset to the entire region of the country in which he lived. Coach Carroll went on to say everyone should be grateful for the work of Allen. The coach also says he is proud to be allowed into the world Allen created.

John Schneider, Seahawks General Manager, also had nothing but great things to say about Allen. Schneider says he is overjoyed to see the man who rescued the Seahawks organization from oblivion and begin a culture of success that has fueled the Seahawks for two decades recognized for his efforts. Schneider says it is a blessing to possess the opportunity to carry on the legacy Allen began.

Allen lost his battle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma a year ago. Thursday, he will become the 12th member of the Seahawks Ring of Honor. Former inductees include:

-Dave Krieg
-Curt Warner
-Steve Largent
-Jim Zorn
-Pete Cross
-Dave Brown
-Kenny Easley
-Cortez Kennedy
-Jacob Green
-Walter Jones

The Seahawks improved greatly under the leadership of Allen. The incline began with the hire of former coach Mike Holgren, who Allen has been quoted as saying was one of his best hiring decisions. The success only increased when Allen brought Pete Carrol and John Schneider together in 2010.

The history of the Seahawks was mediocre at best before the purchase by Paul Allen. The success experienced by the team included eight winning seasons and four trips to the playoffs. The team posted two 10 win seasons, won the division once, and made one appearance in the AFC Championship Game.

In the two decades since Allen took control of the franchise, the Seahawks have won 10 or more games nine times. The organization has won their division nine times and has appeared in the playoffs 13 times. The team has made three Super Bowl appearances and was able to bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Seattle with a Super Bowl XLVIII victory.

Carroll says it was an honor and a great experience to work with Allen. He said Allen was a great competitor and set the tone for the entire organization. Carroll says Allen always wanted to win and would always find a way to put the organization in the position to do so.