Training camp.
Tackle Andre Hines quit, having lost his fervor for the game, an embarrassment to the Hawks considering the ex-Stanford star was a second-round draft choice and never was a factor. Quarterback Steve Myer retired because of problems with a back injury that kept him out all of the 1980 season.

THE FIRST SEASON

Cincinnati 27, Seattle 21. Who ever would have believed the Bengals, who fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter were constructing a record that would take them to the Super Bowl or that Ken Anderson would lead the NFL quarterbacks? What escaped many is that the Hawks almost pulled it out, driving from their own 18 to the Bengal 26 where Jim Zorn was sacked to end fading hopes with seconds left.

Seattle 13, Denver 10. After nine straight losses and a winless home season in 1980, the Hawks ended the Kingdome drought, moving againat the solid Bronco defense and holding off Denver in the second half when it counted. Efren Herrera’s field goal, the only scoring in the second half, was the margin of difference.

Oakland 20, Seattle 10. Raiders piled up 190 yards rushing and converted 10 of 18 third down plays as muffed opportunities spoiled Hawk chances. Fourth quarter drives by Seattle ended with a Zorn fumble and an interception on the Oakland 32 and 22.

Kansas City 20, Seattle 14. Zorn had second straight 300-plus passing game, hitting rookie David Hughes with 12 completions for club record. Hawks rallied from 20-0 deficit. One hawk drive ended on KC 1 and another settled for FG from the 4. Two more fourth quarter drives failed on the KC 35 and 31 without producing points.

San Diego 24, Seattle 10. In the third quarter Hawks were stopped on the Charger 1 and later in the third quarter got to the 2 but couldn’t punch ball in and took the field goal. Dan Fouts went 41-30-0 for 302 yards.

Houston 37, Seattle 17. Earl Campbell pounded and dashed 39 times for 186 yards. In three second half TD drives, the Oilers ran 16 plays and gave the ball to Campbell 14 times.

NY Giants 32, Seattle 0. Boo birds were active early as Giants moved the ball with. Hawks were held to mere 29 yards rushing.

THE SECOND SEASON

Seattle 19, NY Jets 3.A solid underdog, Hawks found rushing game behind first-time starter Theotis Brown and the explosive Jets were held to long Pat Leahy field goal. Win was second in 17 games for the Seattle over two seasons.

Green Bay 34, Seattle 24. Troubled Packers regrouped at expense of Seattle, rolling up 182 yards on ground. Herrera put Hawks ahead on 54-yard field goal in third period, 24-21, but Seattle attack sputtered. Pack sacked Seattle QBs five times as Krieg replaced Zorn late in third quarter.

Seattle 24, Pittsburgh 21. Zorn returned to finest form, hitting 18 of 25 for 272 yards with no interceptions. Brown caught seven passes and Dan Doornink caught 44-yard TD bomb and another for 34 to set up TD. Zorn’s 53-yarder to Steve Largent set up winning TD. Steelers’ David Trout missed easy FG with 20 seconds left to tie. Steelers’ Franco Harris hit 10,000 yard career rushing milestone.

Seattle 44, San Diego 23. First win ever over Chargers came in Monday Night TV spectacular. Seattle exploded for 24 points in second quarter. Defensive highlight of season was Hawk goal line stand in third period, stopping Chuck Muncie four times from inside the 4. Jackson had 15 tackles, Joe Norman, 13.

Kansas City 40, Seattle 13. Chiefs won a rout, scoring on every possession until the final 12 seconds of the game, rushing for 269 yards and getting two TDs on Bill Kenney’s 17 of 22 for 181 yards.

Oakland 32, Seattle 31. Hawks couldn’t hold 24-3 lead as Marc Wilson paced Raider comeback, hitting 20 of 33 for 218 and three touchdowns. Zorn went down for season with broken ankle and Wilson Alvarez took over for Herrera as Seattle kicker.

Seattle 27, New York Jets 23. Dave Krieg’s debut was spectacular as QB starter, hitting Largent for game winner for 57 yards with 8:21 leff Hawk defense outplayed NY Sack Exchange. Largent caught seven passes for 169 yards.

Denver 23, Seattle 13. Five Seattle fumbles interrupted any offensive flow in chilly Mile High Stadium in early December. Only Hawk TD came on long drive with time running out. Ken Easley had 12 tackles and his first interception.

Seattle 42, Cleveland 21. Easley ran 82 yards with pass interception to set the tone and it was soon 28-0 for the Hawks. Cleveland had three interceptions and seven lost fumbles and Seattle sacked Brown QBs six times. Largent finished Pro Bowl season with six catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.