DuPont, South Sound Seahawks fans rally on Blue Friday

South Sound Seahawks fans flocked to DuPont early Friday morning to rally with former Hawks players, Blitz the team mascot and the Sea Gals in advance of the Hawks Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the NFL playoffs.

Pierce County’s southernmost city was chosen by the Seahawks organization to host the rally because of its strong fan base and its proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to Mayor Michael Courts.

It also helped that the Seahawks employee involved in the selection process is a former JBLM soldier.

In recent years the city has organized Blue Friday rallies and 12th man events during the NFL season to unite South Sound Hawks fans. Former Mayor Michael Grayum contacted the Seahawks about getting Seahawks gear for City Hall to commemorate the city’s support.

Armando Mejia, who was formerly stationed at JBLM and who now works with the Seahawks, received Grayum’s request.

“Knowing our proximity to JBLM and the strong Seahawks fan base here, he helped select us for the pep rally,” Courts wrote in an email.

The city worked with the organization in the weeks leading up to the event and reached out to JBLM and neighboring communities and schools to increase attendance Friday, Courts said.

The Hawks take on the Vikings at 10:05 a.m. Sunday on NBC.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "DuPont, South Sound Seahawks fans rally on Blue Friday."