Football fans know that on any given Sunday, any football team can beat any other team. We have all heard of teams with bad seasons having one game they some how find a way to win when the odds were against them.
The Seahawks had one of those games in 1992 on a day when they played with heart -- and for Pete Gross.
On Nov. 30, 1992, the Seahawks were facing the Denver Broncos at the Kingdome on Monday Night Football. The Seahawks were a dismal 1-10 going into the game while the Broncos were sitting at 7-4.
What made the night special was that during halftime, long-time Seahawks broadcaster Pete Gross was being inducted into the team's Ring Of Honor. Gross was known as the "Voice of the Seahawks", and called every game until 1992 -- when he was fighting cancer.
The Seahawks actually had the better offense that night, but with four turnovers and six sacks, they could only manage three points in three quarters. Seattle was down 10 going into the fourth quarter. The Seahawks' defense was able to hold the Broncos scoreless in the fourth quarter. That defense was led by Eugene Robinson, Rufus Porter and a young Cortez Kennedy.
John Kasey made his second field goal of the game to make it a 6-13 game. With time running out, the Seahawks drove the ball down inside the Broncos' 10-yard line. On a fourth-and-goal, Stan Gelbaugh hit Brian Blades for the touchdown, followed by Kasey's extra point to tie the game and send it into overtime.
In overtime Kasey came through again by kicking a 32-yard field goal, and the Seahawks won. This would be their last win of the season.
Even with the overtime win the night still belonged to Gross.
Gross was the first non-player to be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor. Watching the halftime show, you could see the toll cancer had taken on Gross. I can remember crying listening to his induction speech; he was so humble and his love for Seattle and the Seahawks was apparent.
He was determined to attend the ceremony, calling the week "one of the greatest weeks of my life."
A little more than 50 hours later, Gross succumbed to his cancer at the age of 55.
I believe there are times when people know their time is coming to an end and they hang on for one more birthday, holiday or anniversary. Gross held on for one last Seahawks game.
Down by 10, the Seahawks could have given up in that game. They showed a lot of heart to come back and win. When Blades scored his touchdown, I could only imagine Gross calling it: "Touchdown Seahawks!"
Gross' name lives on in the Pete Gross House, which helps house families of cancer patients in Seattle. For more information, visit http://www.fhcrc.org/patient/support/pghouse/index.html.
