By: Will Case
Green Bay, Wis. (WDUZ)- The Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks have long been swapping coaches and player talent. Many of those transactions have favored the Packers. Now, the Seahawks are cashing in on some Badger talent, and bringing many Packers fans on board.
First, a little history.
The Packers established an off-the-field rivalry with the Seattle Seahawks in the late 1990's due to several key transactions. The Packers' all-time leading rusher Ahman Green was drafted by Seattle in 1998, and was traded to Green Bay after the 1999 season. Obviously, that went well for the Packers.
The great Mike Holmgren who coached the Packers to two super bowl appearances wanted more than the Packers would give, and took his talents to Seattle after the 1998 season, where he stayed until 2008 after a super bowl appearance in 2005. Many Packers fans were divided when it came to cheering for Holmgren's Seahawks.
The Seahawk's Vice President from 2000-2004 was Ted Thompson, who was hired as the GM in Green Bay in 2005. That move is still paying off for the Packers.
After the 2000 season, Mike Holmgren would go get Packers' backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck who would lead Seattle to super bowl XL. In 2012 the Packers' backup quarterback Matt Flynn signed a bombshell contract with the Seahawks but lost his job the same year to a rookie quarterback from Wisconsin: Russell Wilson.
Wilson's only meaningful game against Green Bay really tested Badgers fans' loyalty with the infamous "fail mary" that beat the Packers in 2012.
Regardless of the bitter feelings towards Seattle, many Wisconsin sports fans are riding on the Seahawks bandwagon, for one reason: Russell Wilson.
Wilson became a fan favorite after transferring from North Carolina State to play his final season with the Badgers. The fans only regret was Wilson's short tenure as a Badger. After losing to the Oregon Ducks in the 2012 rose bowl, fans were left with a feeling that Russell Wilson could do a lot more. Now, after drafting Wilson in 2012, Seattle fans are discovering that same feeling. Most Badgers fans despise Pete Carroll for that disgraceful "Fail Mary" game, but are willing to cheer them on for a chance to credit Wilson's success to the Badgers. Why? Successful NFL quarterbacks who come out of Wisconsin are almost non-existent. Badgers fans are hoping Wilson changes that.
But let's not forget about Montee Ball, Wilson's running back in Madison who will compete for the same super bowl ring but from the opposite sideline. Ball is arguably the best running back to wear a Badgers uniform in the past decade after finishing 5th in Heisman voting in 2012 and setting numerous NCAA records. Badgers fans are well represented in the super bowl no matter who they cheer for. But for those who cannot find it within themselves to cheer for Pete Carroll's Seahawks, they can always cheer for Ball and the Broncos. For others, Russell Wilson's short stint as a Badger is more than enough to overlook Seattle and claim him as their own.
Regardless of the final score, Badgers fans will win come February 2nd.
Listen to Will Saturday Mornings at 8 am and follow him on Twitter @WilliamCharlesC
