Imagine having someone scream in both your ears continuously for an entire football game — about three hours. Thats how loud it was Sunday night at CenturyLink Field for the Seahawks game against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to the Seahawks' web site, the 12th Man screams at 112 decibels while the team is on defense and 87 decibels while on offense.
Compare that to 130 decibels of a Boeing 747; 60 decibels of a normal conservation; and 40 decibels with each raindrop.
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In 2006, the National Football League sent a notice to the New York Giants and Seahawks, saying it would keep an eye out to make sure the league's restrictions on artificial noise are followed after it received several complaints about the noise level. The notice mentioned allegations that the crowd noise in Seattle was enhanced, though it did not specify the origin of that claim.
Popular Mechanics, named the stadium the loudest crowd. With the smallest footprint stadium in the NFL, Centurylink Field has a tight seating arrangement that puts fans really close to the field and concentrates their noise and 70% of those fans are covered from the elements.
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The 12th Man is so loud a geologic sensor — planted where the Kingdome used to be — recorded actual seismic vibrations from the ground during a 2011 game against the Saint at the same time Marshawn Lynch made an astonishing 67-yard touchdown run. The play put the Seahawks up 41-30 over the New Orleans Saints. Seismic activity was recorded for about 90 seconds.
Expect the 12th Man to be even louder next week. Depending on the outcomes, the Seahawks could see a first round bye if the Packers also lose.
