Jack Patera was the first coach in the history of the Seattle Seahawks. Now at 81-years-old and living in Cle Elum, he's still one of the team's biggest fans.

A former linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and defensive line coach with the Minnesota Vikings, Patera coached the Seahawks from their first season in 1976 until being fired during the strike shortened 1982 season.  He never coached again. He says he has few regrets.

"I had a great time. I really did enjoy myself. I'm sorry we didn't win more."

Patera had the reputation as being a tough coach, albeit an innovative one, known for some trick plays that helped his young team win.

"We beat some teams we had no business beating," he says.

After a 9-7 record in 1978, Patera was named NFL Coach of the Year.

Patera now spends most of his time on his ten acre property with his two dogs and fishes in a stream-fed pond.

Patera says Seahawk fans have always been the best in the league . In 2005 he came back to Seattle to raise the 12th man flag, but these days he prefers to watch the hawks on TV .

You can guess what he'll be doing on Sunday at noon.

 

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