Fred Couples, a native of Seattle and season-ticket holder of the Seattle Seahawks, as honored before the Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, raising the 12th Man Flag at CenturyLink Field.
Seattle fans are known as the loudest in the National Football League, giving he Seahawks a distinct home-field advantage.
“I’ve gotta be honest, this is more fun than golf ever is,” said Couples, who lives in LaQuinta, Calif. “This is a blast for me to be a part of it.”
Notable raisers of the 12th man flag in the past include Trent Dilfer, Detlef Schrempf, Ken Griffey Jr., Kenny Mayne, Jamie Moyer and Shawn Kemp.
Couples, who was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame earlier this year, grew up playing muni golf courses in Seattle and went on win 15 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1992 Masters.
The 54-year-old Couples has claimed nine victories since joining the Champions Tour in 2010 and earlier this year in the Boeing Classic at Snoqualmie Ridge near Seattle, he wore a Seahawks hat for the last few holes.
“I tried to change the mojo by wearing the hat on 17, but I still bogeyed the hole,” said Couples, who finished third in his hometown event, four strokes behind rookie winner John Riegger.
Couples was able provide some good karma for the Seahawks, who routed the Saints, 34-7.
