The Seattle Seahawks’ head coach Mike Macdonald is implementing significant changes at the team’s practice facility.
To “establish our own identity,” as defensive Leonard Williams explained, the hallway to the locker room is now empty. All the photos showcasing iconic moments from the franchise's history under former head coach Pete Carroll have been taken down.
The dramatic changes at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center sparked strong reactions from fans and analysts. Seahawks general manager John Schneider even referred to the situation as “Picture Gate” when he appeared on Seattle Sports..
Former Seahawks Super Bowl champion Kam Chancellor expressed skepticism about Macdonald’s efforts, stating, “You can’t erase ‘The Legion.'” Chancellor posted on X. “The standard is already set.”
One of the removed pictures depicted Chancellor’s game-saving forced fumble on Calvin Johnson Jr. at the 1-yard line.
Another Seahawks legend, Richard Sherman shared Chancellor’s message. A photo of Sherman’s famous tipped ball from the 2014 NFC Championship game was also previously displayed on the wall.
A fan commented, “Dog nobody is erasing you. Just tryina not be the Mariners who are stuck reliving 1995.” However, Sherman responded with a comeback.
Sherman retorted, “Yea I’m sure every great franchise is removing its legendary players’ pictures from their building because they can’t ever live up to that. Makes sense.” Sherman replied. “Sure the Ravens don’t have pictures of Ray Lewis and that great defense. I’m sure Pittsburg doesn’t have pictures of all the great moments. I’m sure Dallas, SF, NE all remove pictures of the history of their Franchise because of a new coach. Makes sense.”
Despite attempts to convince Sherman not to take it personally, he remained unswayed. “Pete Hung a SB banner no other coach in the franchise history has done that. But it’s on brand,” he posted.
Seahawks GM John Schneider Explained The Old Photos Are Going Digital
Amid the uproar, Schneider clarified that they do not intend to erase history. Rather, he aimed to provide Macdonald, the youngest head coach in the NFL at age 36, with an opportunity to move out from Carroll’s shadow.
“Right outside the team room to the indoor facility, (there were) a lot of pictures and slogans from Pete’s tenure here, like all the stuff we did together the last 14 years – (which was) awesome,” Schneider told Seattle Sports. “But celebrating our history is, like, all over this building, and so we’re actually going a little more digital, too.
“I was actually talking to (Seahawks president Chuck Arnold) about it this morning – we’re gonna have TVs up just kind of like celebrating the Dave Wyman tackles, if you will, or the Curt Warner runs and the Shaun Alexanders and the Coach Holmgrens and Coach Carrolls, the whole thing. Right when you walk around the corner from the indoor facility, I mean, we have the plates (with names) of every player that’s played here, and the pictures from all the guys, like more recent guys and all that.
“Really in Mike (Macdonald’s) mind, it’s kind of, hey, we’re celebrating our history, guys get that, but we’re not coming in here with certain slogans and leadership mottos and that sort of thing. We’re going to build our own as a team.”
Seahawks News: Current Players Praise Mike Macdonald
Former players are saddened by the removal of Carroll’s legacy on the walls, but current players have no complaints. Schneider said, “I think the players really embraced it. Listening to Leo the other day, I thought he said it great. Like, hey, we’re totally gonna respect the past and everything that’s happened here, and, you know, we just gotta move forward.”
Left tackle Charles Cross told reporters of Macdonald on April 17, “I love him. He brings a tenacity to the building. He’s very blunt. He wants to get the job done.”
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon added, “He’s different. He’s different than Pete, what we’ve been around, what I’ve been around since I’ve been here. But it’s a nice, little change, though.” As for the transition of the new coaching staff, which includes 21 new assistants, “It’s been smooth so far.”
While learning all new terminology and game plans can take time, the task is uniting the players. “You can just tell there’s a sense of urgency right now,” Williams said. “In a way, that’s kind of bringing everyone together. That’s making everyone be so locked in.”
