Texas School (Texas A&M University) Claims '12th Man' Infringes On Their Trademark

Komotv.com ^ | January 27, 2006 | Mary Nam

[COEXERJ145]

SEATTLE - We can't imagine the Seahawks without their 12th Man. But another team says the 12th Man concept is their idea and they want us to stop using it.

Who knew the 12th Man was born...in Texas? Turns out the first 12th Man wasn't a Hawk -- he was an Aggie. And Texas A & M wants to keep it that way and stomp out a 22-year-old Seattle tradition.

The news floors Jeff Scoma, who sells Seahawks merchandise. "That's interesting that you can't produce a blue flag with a 12 on it or a blue shirt with a 12 on it," Scoba says.

12th Man merchandise is so hot, Scoma can't keep up with customers at his team store.

"It's crazy! I wish we could get more of it. There's absolutely no 12th Man jerseys, flags, shirts--people have been talking and saying, ' Why don't more people put banners up?' It's because we're sold out!" Scoma says.

All the 12th Man hoopla caught the attention of Texas A & M. The school argues the trademark is theirs and has been since 1922.

[atomicpossum]

Is this that 12th Imam we're supposed to be waitin' for?

[Hawk1976]

You know I was thinking that when I watched the Carolina - Seattle game. Of course this "sportswriter" is shocked. I think Seattle is a lot like Tampa Bay, very few devoted fans but lots of band-wagoners now that they went somewhere.

[sangrila]

assinine

[COEXERJ145]

This is a matter of pride for Texas A&M.

If you're not an Aggie, I doubt you could understand it.

[conservative cat]

I think Seattle is a lot like Tampa Bay, very few devoted fans but lots of band-wagoners now that they went somewhere.

I don't think that's true. A lot of fans are just cautious. It's hard to follow a team year after year for 30 years only to get burnt every year when you get your hopes up (then multiply that by a baseball and basketball team). We still love our Hawks, but forgive us for being tentative about our enthusiasm.

[TexasNative2000]

If you're not an Aggie, I doubt you could understand it.

I'm nowhere near being an Aggie and I understand fully.

Guns Up!

[Ainast]

some of my most favorite HS and College teachers were aggies. Man were they fun. crazy, but fun. (not to mention the fact that I learned a hell of a lot from them)

[sangrila]

I know you have more tradition than Seattle , but the whole thing is kind of ridiculous. It's not like UT stole it from A&M. Pro teams always rip stuff off from colleges. The Braves stole the tomahawk chop.

[End Times Sentinel]

Who knew the 12th Man was born...in Texas?

Oh, gosh, I dunno, anyone who's ever seen a Texas A&M Game?  It's a nice story, the first dozen or so times you hear it, but it kind of gets old after that.

Pretending not to have heard of "The 12th Man" originating in College Station is a statement of breath taking ignorance.

Owl_Eagle

"You know, I'm going to start thanking
the woman who cleans the restroom in
the building I work in.  I'm going to start
thinking of her as a human being"

-Hillary Clinton

(Yes, she really said that

Peggy Noonan

The Case Against Hillary Clinton, pg 55)

[hispanarepublicana]

Red Raider Pingees: Who all was at the game in 1990 when Rodney Blackshear scored a touchdown off of a kickoff against the famed Texas A&M 12th Man Kickoff Team (the first player ever to do so), which led to the end of an Aggie tradition? I WAS THERE!!!!
Guns up!

[Hawk1976]

I'm a Saints fan for going on 20 years. Even when they played poorly,which is usually, we still showed up. We would wear bags over our heads, it's where the term "Whodat" comes from for Saints fans.

I'm from Florida and don't remember people showing up for the Bucs and I've seen the hawks enough times when they were doing poorly and seen an empty stadium.

[conservative cat]

Pro teams always rip stuff off from colleges.

Yup. "The Wave" started at the University of Washington.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I understand you can't use the term "That's Hot!" anymore either.

Guns up for our Big 12 bretheren.

[conservative cat]

and I've seen the hawks enough times when they were doing poorly and seen an empty stadium.

I've been going to Seahawks games off and on for almost 20 years (since we've lived in the area), and never been to an empty stadium- maybe not sold out but not empty, either.

[Hawk1976]

Fair enough, I won't claim to have seen them all the time.

[Little_shoe]

The point for A&M is since seattle is doing it all they are seeing is $$$$$. They could make from the merchandizing since the pros sell a heck of a lot more stuff than A&M.

Dont get me wrong I like A&M but you should remember "Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery."

Heck even Navy has borrowed from this tradition by having the 12th MID who actually gets to get in the game.

[Little_shoe]

I hate Texas Tech with a passion.... seconded only to Notre Dame and Army.

"STOP THAT DAMN BELL"

[SvdByFaith]

WOOP!

[hispanarepublicana]

15 years ago not enough people would've known who Texas Tech was to hate us, let alone hate us in a league with Notre Dame.....