In a move that should surprise nobody, NFL.com is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks have settled with Texas A&M University on the use of the 12th Man phrase.If it weren't for all the hype and overexposure of the Superbowl, this would have been an underwhelming non-issue, but now the sporting world can rest easy knowing the Aggies will be serving a higher grade of grits in their cafeteria, thanks to a licensing agreement with the Seahawks.
As part of the agreement, the Seahawks acknowledge Texas A&M's ownership rights of the trademarked phrase. However, the NFL team may continue using it under license. Neither side admitted any fault or liability.
While I'm sure the Seahawks could have drawn this out into a protracted and costly legal battle, with better than a 50/50 chance of winning outright, they probably thought it best to dispatch with these pesky gnats and get on with the business of returning to Superbowl XLI.
I'm sure we'll have to put up with the return of the Aggie Trolls to our favorite Seahawks chat forums, so they can puff their chests and claim thier hollow victory, while other major college sports programs fight to get the cream-puff Aggies on their schedules!
But the good news in all of this is that the issue should now fade into obscurity, where it always truly belonged, and we can return to guilt-free use of the phrase that we know only describes ONE true set of rabid football fans.
(to comment, click the green number to the right of the title above)
Now the Aggies can crawl back under a rock. They got their publicity as they could not earn it on the gridiron. Its so lame that they get licensing fees.
ReplyDeleteGladiator said it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteNot only do we get to use the stuff, but even Tod Lowienke seemed excited...he was blabbing about a ton of ideas including a 12th man burger. Nice to see another Seahawk official seemingly having fun.
Personally I wouldnt mind seeing the two teams playing for the rights of it...who cares for their fanbase more...no contest.
It would suck to be Rocky Bernard in the middle of all of this. Really though Texas A&M just wanted publicity thats all, now they can shut up. We've been using that logo, phrase since the 80ies and it wasn't an issue till we made it to the big dance humm a little suspicouse. Anyways sounds all dandy to me.
ReplyDeletePaul Allen should have just bought the whole University.
bokonon on 5/08/2006 07:05:09 PM
ReplyDeleteThis really pisses me off! I had the Aggies Alumni group ready to settle the dispute in a bonfire contest. We would have crushed them. This really burns my ass.
Kinda ironic, dont you think? lol.
A little something to remember for the trolls: "Only two things come from Texas, steers and queers!" ...and seeing how A&M's rivals the Longhorns are steers, well... draw your own conclusions.
ReplyDeleteNot that there's anything wrong with that, of course.
Ahhh, quoting "Officer and a Gentlemen" and "Seinfeld" in the same post. CLASSIC!
ReplyDeleteI need to start posting to another site. I can't believe my tasteless comment didn't raise an eyebrow. You people are sick and twisted...wait that's what I like about this this place.
ReplyDeletesorry, the bonfire tragedy of the 90s seemed to slip my mind! All I thought of was the old vaudeville joke:
ReplyDeleteQ. you know what really burns my ass?
A. yea, a flame about this high!
This idea of a 12th Man Burger intrigues me. Usually burgers with a number or the world 'Man" in them are very, very good.
ReplyDeleteSo, this is what I'm thinking....
3 patties, 4 stips of bacon, 3 pieces of cheese, and 2 buns (all adds up to 12) with a toothpick down th middle with a little 12 flag at the top. Comes with free Rams flag to use as napkin and/or toilet paper.
This idea of a 12th Man Burger intrigues me. Usually burgers with a number or the world 'Man" in them are very, very good.
ReplyDeleteSo, this is what I'm thinking....
3 patties, 4 stips of bacon, 3 pieces of cheese, and 2 buns (all adds up to 12) with a toothpick down th middle with a little 12 flag at the top. Comes with free Rams flag to use as napkin and/or toilet paper.
Careful Alan...looks like that burger is repeating on you!
ReplyDeleteLOL, good one, alan
ReplyDeleteI love that one Alan, it's a classic someone ahould put it in the quote bucket.
ReplyDeleteLeave Alan alone damn it you #$@#$. Or is it Allen...
ReplyDeleteSee my post in O-line revisited.
checks ideas:
ReplyDelete'The 12th Man' - A porno starring Jenna Jameson
'The 12th Beer, Man' - a 144 oz Brew from Pyramid Ales
'The 1.2 Man' - Start serving shots at Qwest, but in stead of one oz, give us an extra 20%!
Please feel free to elaborate!
how about:
ReplyDelete12th man challenge- the first fan to down 12 beers at the game gets to have a seagal of his very own for 12 nights
... and anyone who attempts--but can't complete--the challenge gets Ed Hochuli for the same duration.
ReplyDeleteBTW, gumbostu, as a feminist I am somewhat offended by your implication that women wouldn't be partaking in this contest. I believe you really meant to type ". . . gets to have a Seagal or Seahawk of their very own for 12 nights."
(Congratulations; with your new awareness of exclusionary language, you can now pass any class at WSU, just like Citizen K...)
BTW, alba, that's "Full Metal Jacket." R. Lee Ermey would eat Louis Gosset Jr for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteCit K,
ReplyDeleteI think you completely missed Gum's point. He was implying only women could try. That's what made it hot!
Uff - can you believe I never saw Full Metal Jacket?
ReplyDeleteI'm very sure that Loo-Goo-Joo uses that same phrase in Officer and a Gentlemen though.
As a person that just turned 21 (the inverse of 12!) I am digging this 1.2 Man idea.
ReplyDelete"He was implying only women could try. That's what made it hot!"
ReplyDeleteLOL. Nice one...
However, what he really wrote was "the first fan to down 12 beers at the game gets to have a seagal of his very own" To me, that implies that--if said fan is female, she would be--rather than "hee-hee, Nicky, I'm tipsy. Let's make out for a while!"--instead refer to herself as a "himself." I think I speak for all of us when I say that a stadium-full of bull dykes getting trashed by halftime, then ripping off their flannel shirts (literally) and dancing in their wifebeaters in the aisles while the PA plays "Y-W-C-A" is not my idea of a good time at a pro football game...
Really, who would enjoy that? Just the same guys that watch "The L Word" on mute.
ReplyDelete