Gate crashes Seahawks’ van

  • By Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Monday, January 30, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

DETROIT – Forget the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seattle Seahawks’ chances of winning Super Bowl XL nearly got flattened by a security gate.

Six players were involved in a minor accident Monday afternoon when a van driving them to their scheduled press conference ran into a security gate at Marriott Renaissance Center. None of the players were hurt.

“I don’t know what happened,” said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, one of four Pro Bowlers in the van at the time of the accident. “It was the first car accident I have ever been in, so I was a little startled.”

Running back Shaun Alexander, who was also in the vehicle, said the incident happened as the van carrying the players followed another van carrying members of the Seahawks’ public relations staff. After the PR van went through the security gate, the van carrying the players got hit on the side.

“We all got tossed around inside a little bit,” Alexander said at an already-scheduled press conference that took place a few minutes after the accident. “A little wake-up call for all of us.”

Pro Bowl offensive linemen Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson were also in the van, as were safety Michael Boulware and defensive tackle Chartric Darby.

“We are reviewing the incident and will take every appropriate precaution to ensure that it does not happen again,” NFL vice president of security Milt Ahlerich said in a statement. “The most important thing is that no one was injured.”

Hasselbeck seemed the most shaken by the incident, but Hutchinson laughed off the quarterback’s concern.

“I think he was messing with you,” Hutchinson told reporters. “I think he’s fine.

“… I do know we’re going to need a different car now, though.”

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