One of the best players in the history of professional football has the honors of raising the 12th Man Flag on Sunday. The best pregame tradition in the NFL will be carried out by Seattle Seahawks legend, and first ballot Hall of Famer, Walter Jones.
A Hall of Famer in the house.@BigWalt71 is today’s 12 Flag Raiser! pic.twitter.com/gdgSjjPb5c
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 6, 2024
Originally the No. 6 overall pick from the 1997 NFL draft, Jones more than lived up to his lofty selection. During his 13 years in the league, all with the Seahawks, Jones made a name for himself as a nigh-impenetrable wall along Seattle’s offensive line.
Jones played in 180 games and started every single one of them. He dropped back to defend 5,703 pass attempts and only surrendered 23 sacks. Additionally, he was flagged for holding only nine times. He named to the first team All-Pro four times, second team All-Pro twice, nine Pro Bowls, and a member of the All-Decade team of the 2000’s.
It is fitting Jones is raising the flag against the New York Giants. During the 2005 season, of which the Seahawks advanced to their first Super Bowl appearance, Seattle hosted the Giants. On that day, the world was introduced to the roar of the 12th Man, as they forced New York into committing 11 false start penalties. A stark contrast to the elite talent of Jones on the other sideline.
There are only a few jerseys hanging retired from the rafters of Lumen Field (for now) and among them is Jones’ No. 71, and rightfully so.
