Use in American Football
Despite trademark claims, the term "12th man" has been used by various American football teams including the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Bears in marketing practices in reference to their supporters, though all but Seattle originally stopped using the term "12th man" at the request of Texas A&M (the Bears currently use the phrase "4th Phase"). The Seattle Seahawks continue to use the phrase, having settled with Texas A&M out of court after a trademark lawsuit filed by Texas A&M. As a tribute to their fans, the Seahawks retired the number 12 during a game on 15 December 1984. Since then No. 12 Jerseys have been sold by the team and worn by Seahawk fans, often with the name "Fan" on the back. The Seahawks also have a ceremony before each home game where a flag bearing the No. 12 is raised by a prominent individual.
The Buffalo Bills have honored their 12th man by inducting them into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame inside the Ralph Wilson Stadium. They were inducted in 1992 because of their loyal support during the team's early 90's Super Bowl runs.
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Famous quotes containing the words american and/or football:
“When an American heiress wants to buy a man, she at once crosses the Atlantic. The only really materialistic people I have ever met have been Europeans.”
—Mary McCarthy (1912–1989)
“People stress the violence. That’s the smallest part of it. Football is brutal only from a distance. In the middle of it there’s a calm, a tranquility. The players accept pain. There’s a sense of order even at the end of a running play with bodies stewn everywhere. When the systems interlock, there’s a satisfaction to the game that can’t be duplicated. There’s a harmony.”
—Don Delillo (b. 1926)