RENTON — Bobby Engram pulled on a black T-shirt with a likeness of Barack Obama’s face, “Change,” and “Obama … We believe” in block letters on the front. The veteran receiver then reached for a camera and began taking photos in the Seahawks’ locker room of teammate D.D. Lewis.
The linebacker was showing off his gray T-shirt with a drawing of Obama depicted in a USA basketball jersey leaping to dunk a ball through a rim while stepping on the top of John McCain’s head. The nation’s stars and stripes were in the background.
In a corner to their left, safety Deon Grant blared Young Jeezy’s rap song “My President” from his locker stereo.
“Everybody’s pretty excited,” fellow safety Brian Russell deadpanned Wednesday over Grant’s celebration from the neighboring locker.
For black and white players alike, Obama’s election as the nation’s first black president-elect was a far more popular topic after practice than, say, the fact that the woeful Seahawks (2-6) are going to Miami to play the Dolphins on Sunday.
“It’s a monumental moment. It’s a special occasion, especially being an African-American,” said Lewis, who watched Obama’s victory speech Tuesday night on television with his two sons, ages 8 and 3. “That’s prime, especially me having sons. It’s one of those things, man, you dream to see.”
He said he especially talked to his older son, Zion, about Obama and the promise his election provides for Zion’s future.
“My son was excited,” said Lewis, a 29-year-old who calls Houston home. “You always tell your kids they could be whatever they want to be. It’s one of those times you can even be the president of the United States. Even for me, it stressed the importance of education. Obama went to Harvard. (Now) me stressing education to my son: ‘You’ve got to do these things to get that done.’ “
Russell, who is white and 30 years old from West Covina, Calif., said “of course” Obama’s win affects everybody — including football players.
“It’s a big change. And it’s probably a long time coming,” Russell said.
The victory also resonated with coach Mike Holmgren. The former high school history teacher in San Francisco in the 1970s was, like many of his players, glued to his television Tuesday night. When he got home from Seahawks’ headquarters, he found his wife crying. For an hour.
“She was so happy,” Holmgren said. “Kathy’s a social worker, a nurse. Very much a Democrat. And very much excited about the whole thing.
“Politics aside, I thought John McCain did a wonderful job in his concession speech. But President Obama, he’s a special order. He’s exceptional. It’s inspiring.
“Aside from football, I think it’s a special time. … Being an old history teacher, it’s remarkable. Regardless of how you voted, you have to say this is a remarkable time in our history.”
Holmgren was so inspired by Obama’s election, he was tempted to talk to his players about it Wednesday, then decided not to.
“They’ll look at me kind of funny,” he said of the prospect of a 60-year-old grandfather and taskmaster discussing Obama’s election with men half his age.
“Right now, I want them to think about how to get a first down,” he added with a smile.
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