EVERETT — The 12th Man was loud and proud in Everett on Sunday.
As the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos for the team’s first Super Bowl victory, elated fans rushed onto Hewitt Avenue, shouting and throwing Skittles.
People were hugging, slapping hands and cheering as fireworks boomed in the background.
“Holy mother of football, we’ve done it,” Patti Dalrymple, of Marysville, exclaimed.
The long-time season ticket holder instigated celebratory chanting inside the Fish Tale Brew Pub.
“You can’t even explain it,” Jon Gebow, of Everett, said. “We’re so proud of them.”
The bar rumbled with excitement in the game’s final seconds as Seattle made its 43-8 win official.
“Get that bling, baby,” Shelby Greenwood, of Everett, said. “They deserve this.”
As the Hawks racked up points in Super Bowl XLVIII, the blue- and green-clad crowd at the Historic Everett Theatre jumped to their feet and threw their hands in the air.
“Being here with fellow 12s has been great,” said Johanna Wiese, a Boeing office administrator and Hawks fan since 1976. “We all have the same thing in common — rooting our boys on.”
Al Arguello, a Colorado native who lives in Everett, said he used to root for the Broncos. The now-Seahawks fan was decked out in a jersey and face paint Sunday. He said he was looking forward to calling his family in Denver after the Broncos’ beating.
“I’m going to harass them,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
More than 100 people gathered to watch the game at Mars Hill Church.
“It’s awesome how something like sport really unites the community,” Pastor Ryan Williams said. “There’s a lot of hope in everyone’s hearts today.”
Children ran about the three-screen auditorium while adults clapped, cheered and exchanged high fives when Seattle repeatedly scored.
“We’re having fun with our community,” Ara Lunsford, of Monroe, said. “We can hoot and holler without worrying about anyone being inappropriate.”
Lunsford’s daughter, Evalyn, 4, wore a Russell Wilson jersey and carried blue and green pompoms to cheer her Hawks on to victory.
“I always have this,” she said. “I love it.”
Dustin and Melinda Woelfle, of Granite Falls, watched the game with their home-team-attired boys, ages 5, 3 and 2.
“We want the Seahawks to win,” Daniel Woelfle, 5, said matter-of-factly.
Sarah Quiring and Diana Karabut, both of Everett, said they were enjoying the camaraderie of watching Seattle play in the Super Bowl despite their limited understanding of the game.
“It really feels like we’re united,” Quiring, 17, said.
“It gets us all talking,” Karabut, 15, added.
Tony and Shellie Pellonari said they came to Everett from San Diego to go house hunting a week early so they could watch the Super Bowl at the Ynot Sports Pub.
“People here are so amazing There’s so much team spirit,” Shellie Pellonari said. “We’re so proud to be a part of it.”
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com.
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