12th man (football)

Term used for football fans February 2014 The 12th man or 12th player is a collective term for fans of sports teams in many eleven-a-side games, in particular association football. As most football leagues allow a maximum of eleven players per team on the playing field at a time, referring to a team's fans as the 12th man implies that they have a potentially helpful and significant role in the game. The presence of fans can have a notable impact on teams' performance, an element in the home advantage. Namely, the home team fans would vocally support and urge on their team to win the game. Thus, these fans will often create loud sounds or chant in the hope of encouraging their team, or of distracting, demoralizing, or confusing the opposing team while they have possession of the ball, or to persuade a referee to make a favorable decision for the team. Noises are made by shouting, singing, whistling, stomping, clapping, and various other techniques. In Canadian football, 12 players from each team are usually on the field at one time and the term 13th man is often used to refer to fans. Similarly, in Australian rules football, 18 players are on the field, and the fans are often referred to as the 19th man. However, in basketball, where five players are on the court, the term Sixth man generally refers to an energetic substitute player. Similarly, in rugby sevens, with seven players from each team on the field, "Eighth man" is not used to refer to fans as the term refers to the eighth forward in rugby union. The term Twelfth Man has a specifically different meaning in cricket, referring instead to the nominated first substitute player who fields when a member of the fielding side is injured during play. History thumb|right|120px|Texas A&M's E. King Gill during the 1921–1922 season The first recorded use of the term "twelfth man" was a magazine published by the University of Minnesota in September 1900, that referred to "the mysterious influence of the twelfth man on the team, the rooter".Editorial Minnesota Magazine 7 September 1900 32 https://books.google.com/books?id=5b4NAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA32 University of Minnesota Unknown 1900 Later, in the November 1912 edition of The Iowa Alumnus, an alumni publication of the University of Iowa (then known as State University of Iowa), E. A. McGowan described the 1903 game between Iowa and the University of Illinois. In his article, "The Twelfth Player", McGowan wrote: "The eleven men had done their best; but the twelfth man on the team (the loyal spirited Iowa rooter) had won the game for old S.U.I."The Twelfth Player The Iowa Alumnus 10 November 1912 30 http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/uap/id/5706/rec/10 University of Iowa. Alumni Association E. A. McGowan September 24, 2012 November 18, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151118010237/http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/uap/id/5706/rec/10 dead The 1922 Dixie Classic served as the setting for an event later referred to as "The story of the 12th Man". Sports and Understanding Organizations Daniel J. Svyantek Information Age Publishing Charlotte, North Carolina 2017 44 978-1681237923 This football game featured the top-ranked Centre College and The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (later known as Texas A&M). During the game, A&M coach Dana X. Bible realized that one more injury would leave him without another backfield player to send into the game. Bible called E. King Gill, a sophomore basketball player, down from the stands to stand ready as a substitute. Gill was ready in uniform on the sidelines if his team needed him.ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game Michael MacCambridge ESPN Books New York 2005 44 978-1401337032 Individuals have occasionally been labeled by local media as the "Twelfth Man" of their team. In 1930, W. H. Adamson, Principal of Oak Cliff (Dallas) High School was called the "Twelfth Man" of the school's American football team by a local reporter due to the rousing pre-game speeches he would give to the players. Likewise, sometimes, fans of both teams in an annual contest have been described as the 12th man.Twelfth Men Dallas Morning News December 18, 1938 195 http://www.hornsports.com/docs/aggy/DMN_Dec_18_1938.pdf November 28, 2012 January 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160109002224/http://www.hornsports.com/docs/aggy/DMN_Dec_18_1938.pdf live In the 1935 Princeton–1935 Dartmouth Big Green Dartmouth College Dartmouth game before 56,000 fans who braved the snow and cold, Reading Eagle December 23, 1935 Oddities in 1935 Sports https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19351223&id=rbIhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3344,5154533 Google News May 26, 2020 March 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220317211613/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19351223&id=rbIhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3344,5154533 live spectator Mike Mesco was initially reported to have left his seat from the stands to join the Dartmouth defensive line and was referred to in a local newspaper as the "Twelfth Dartmouth Man", none World Telegram November 30, 1935 though later was found to be not Mesco, but George Larsen of Cranford, New Jersey.Yale's Error! Fetes Wrong Butt-In Hero Alexander Jack Sunday News December 1, 1935Rites of Autumn, The Story of College Football Whittingham Richard 2001 Use in American football The term has been used by various American football teams including the University of Minnesota, the University of Iowa, Baylor University, Dartmouth College, Simmons College, Texas A&M and the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins,Major Andy Dolphins' owner: Parcells OK with glitz and celebrities http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d812d651e/article/dolphins-owner-parcells-ok-with-glitz-and-celebrities/ Associated Press September 22, 2009 February 16, 2014 March 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302142930/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d812d651e/article/dolphins-owner-parcells-ok-with-glitz-and-celebrities dead and Chicago Bears in marketing practices in reference to their supporters. The Bears currently use the phrase "4th Phase" (with the first three phases being offense, defense, and special teams),http://fanclub.chicagobears.com/ Fan Club Chicago Bears January 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20120529185222/http://fanclub.chicagobears.com/ May 29, 2012 and the Seahawks currently use the phrase "The 12s".http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s The 12s Seattle Seahawks October 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20161203012510/http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s December 3, 2016 dead mdy-all 12th Man Clubs Many high schools in the United States incorporate 12th man language into their booster, supporter, or rooter clubs. Examples of such "12th Man Clubs" include the Dana Hills Dolphins,Welcome 2014 12th Man Club Board http://www.danahillsfootball.com/12thmanclub.html February 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222015858/http://www.danahillsfootball.com/12thmanclub.html February 22, 2014 dead mdy-all Washington Panthers,http://www.peorian.com/sports/1310-high-school-sports-rule High School Sports Rule Mark Kiel The Peorian February 12, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222224830/http://www.peorian.com/sports/1310-high-school-sports-rule live Richwood Knights,http://www.pjstar.com/x1101047136/Time-to-open-the-gates-for-high-school-football Time to open the gates for high school football Lonnie Schwindenhammer AND Stan Morris Journal Star February 12, 2014 February 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221154823/http://www.pjstar.com/x1101047136/Time-to-open-the-gates-for-high-school-football live Diamond Bar Brahmas,http://www.brahmafootball.com/12th-man-club.html 12th MAN CLUB DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140223040547/http://www.brahmafootball.com/12th-man-club.html February 23, 2014 Fairfield Falcons,http://www.12thmanclub.org/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150202174322/http://www.12thmanclub.org/ 12th Man Club February 2, 2015 and Brentwood Bruins.http://www.brentwoodfootball.com/ Brentwood Bruin Football February 12, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222150830/http://www.brentwoodfootball.com/ live The Campbellsville University Tigers of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics also have a 12th Man Club.http://www.campbellsvilletigers.com/article/1815.php Campbellsville University Athletics News dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140221180323/http://www.campbellsvilletigers.com/article/1815.php February 21, 2014 Buffalo Bills thumb|Buffalo Bills 12th Man coin, from the December 12, 1992, Wall of Fame induction On December 12, 1992, (12/12/1992) the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League honored their 12th Man as the seventh inductee into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, located inside Rich Stadium.http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/12/12/bdc-1212-dt-ross-added-to-53-man-roster/ Bills Daily Charge Buffalo Bills December 12, 2012 February 11, 2014 March 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140326190237/http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/12/12/bdc-1212-dt-ross-added-to-53-man-roster/ live Their fans were inducted because of their loyal support during the team's early '90s Super Bowl runs, which coincided with quarterback Jim Kelly and his wearing of #12.http://www.history.buffalobills.com/Wall+of+Fame Buffalo Bills History - Wall of Fame Buffalo Bills 2013-02-22 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130322051055/http://www.history.buffalobills.com/Wall+of+Fame March 22, 2013 mdy-all In 2008, the Bills renamed their "12th Man Walk of Fame" as "Tim Russert Plaza", in honor of the recently deceased Buffalo native and lifelong fan.Major Andy Russert forever remembered by Bills http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Russert-forever-remembered-by-Bills/b91310aa-6741-40c1-be12-d24d263e6e14/ Buffalo Bills November 6, 2013 February 16, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222160824/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Russert-forever-remembered-by-Bills/b91310aa-6741-40c1-be12-d24d263e6e14/ February 22, 2014 dead mdy-all The team continued to refer to its fans as the "12th Man",http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/11/28/bills-calling-on-12th-man/ Buffalo Bills Chris Brown Bills calling on 12th man November 28, 2010 February 11, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153302/http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/11/28/bills-calling-on-12th-man/ live http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2011/09/14/fitz-on-home-field-edge/ Buffalo Bills Chris Brown Fitz on home field edge September 14, 2011 February 11, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153305/http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2011/09/14/fitz-on-home-field-edge/ live http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/12/11/fan-friday-12-11/ Buffalo Bills Chris Brown Fan Friday 12-11 December 11, 2009 February 11, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153307/http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/12/11/fan-friday-12-11/ live with their independent, international fan clubs known as "Bills Backers Chapters".http://www.buffalobills.com/fans/billsbackers/ Bills Backers - Buffalo Bills February 17, 2014 January 7, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180107030942/http://www.buffalobills.com/fans/billsbackers/ live The Bills maintained a licensing agreement with Texas A&M over the use of the "12th Man" term.Taylor, John (July 2, 2014). A&M up in arms over Buffalo Bills fans’ ’12th Man’ petition https://web.archive.org/web/20140707072351/http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/02/am-up-in-arms-over-buffalo-bills-fans-12th-man-petition/ July 7, 2014 . CollegeFootballTalk.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.Lester Sean To protect trademark, Texas A&M sends 12th Man usage complaint to double amputee, cancer survivor http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/texas-ams-latest-12th-man-lawsuit-target-buffalo-bills-fans.html Dallas News July 7, 2014 July 2, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233836/http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/texas-ams-latest-12th-man-lawsuit-target-buffalo-bills-fans.html/ July 14, 2014 Upon moving to Highmark Stadium in 2026, the team renamed its "12th man" entry as Bills Mafia, in homage to the name for the Bills community that had emerged in the 2010s and which the Bills trademarked in 2020,Walsh Erin October 18, 2020 Bills attempting to trademark 'Bills Mafia' https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bills-attempting-to-trademark-bills-mafia/ar-BB1a82Db live https://web.archive.org/web/20201018023028/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bills-attempting-to-trademark-bills-mafia/ar-BB1a82Db October 18, 2020 October 19, 2020 MSN with the date of induction retained as 1992.August 2026 Indianapolis Colts From 2007 to 2016, fans of the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL were known as the 12th Man.Wells Mike The Colts have their own 12th Man https://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/1149/the-colts-have-their-own-12th-man ESPN February 21, 2014 October 7, 2013 February 23, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140223173004/http://espn.go.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/1149/the-colts-have-their-own-12th-man live The Colts created a Ring of Honor on September 23, 1996, after playing 13 seasons in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2007, the Colts inducted their 12th Man as the sixth entrant into the team's Ring of Honor, then located on the interior facade of the RCA Dome.http://www.indystar.com/article/20071231/SPORTS03/712310383/Sanders-already-repaying-Colts Indianapolis Star Mike Chappell Sanders already repaying Colts December 31, 2007 February 11, 2014 February 3, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140203095005/http://www.indystar.com/article/20071231/SPORTS03/712310383/Sanders-already-repaying-Colts live The Ring of Honor currently encircles Lucas Oil Stadium, the team's home venue. The organization also designates a "12th Man Fan of the Game".http://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/damascus-woman-becomes-th-man-for-pro-team/article_3fefd672-012b-5b7a-bc14-ad8fbb7b6084.html Damascus woman becomes 12th man for pro team September 5, 2009 Frederick News-Post Gina Gallucci-White February 11, 2014 November 7, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201107064148/https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archive/damascus-woman-becomes-th-man-for-pro-team/article_3fefd672-012b-5b7a-bc14-ad8fbb7b6084.html livehttp://www.kcautv.com/story/23127347/sioux-city-hospice-patient-lifelong-colts-fan-attends-first-ever-game Sioux City Hospice Patient & Lifelong Colts Fan Attends First Ever Game August 13, 2013 KCAU-TV Staci DaSilva February 11, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222004651/http://www.kcautv.com/story/23127347/sioux-city-hospice-patient-lifelong-colts-fan-attends-first-ever-game live On November 12, 2015, Texas A&M announced the filing of a lawsuit against the Colts based on the team's usage of the term.https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14113722/texas-aggies-sue-indianapolis-colts-use-12th-man-trademark Texas A&M says Colts ignoring calls to stop use of '12th Man' ESPN.com November 12, 2015 November 12, 2015 November 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151113065148/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14113722/texas-aggies-sue-indianapolis-colts-use-12th-man-trademark live On February 17, 2016, the lawsuit was settled with the Colts agreeing to remove the phrase from their Ring of Honor and to immediately cease all other uses of the trademarked phrase.http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/02/18/indianapolis-colts-jim-irsay-12th-man-texas-am/80564736/ Indianapolis Colts agree to stop using '12th Man' in settlement with Texas A&M February 18, 2016 Indianapolis Star February 18, 2016 May 13, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190513065633/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/02/18/indianapolis-colts-jim-irsay-12th-man-texas-am/80564736/ live Seattle Seahawks 12s thumb|250x250px|The 12th Man flag of the Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks retired the number 12 jersey on December 15, 1984, in honor of their fans. In 2003, the Seahawks installed a giant flagpole in the south end zone of what is now Lumen Field, and began a tradition of raising a giant flag with the number 12 on it in honor of the fans, one of whom is Sam Adkins, the former Seahawks quarterback who did wear the number 12.NFL Films The Only Man to Wear 12 For the Seattle Seahawks NFL Films Presents 2017-10-13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwF5B0t1TM 2017-10-16 November 18, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171118002138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwF5B0t1TM live Usually, a local celebrity or a season ticket holder raises the flag during pregame ceremonies.http://www.seahawks.com/gameday/12th-man/history.html History of the 12th Man Seahawks.com Seattle Seahawks December 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130528225148/http://www.seahawks.com/gameday/12th-man/history.html May 28, 2013 dead mdy-all In recent years, 12th Man flagshttp://www.seahawks.com/12th-Man/ The 12s Seahawks.com Seattle Seahawks February 17, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140223181349/http://www.seahawks.com/12th-Man/ February 23, 2014 dead mdy-all Ballard Chris Into the belly of beast mode with Seattle's 12th Man http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20131106/russell-wilson-seattle-seahawks/ Sports Illustrated November 6, 2013 sportsillustrated.cnn.com February 16, 2014 February 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140214081441/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20131106/russell-wilson-seattle-seahawks/ dead Roberts Chris Seattle Seahawks 12th Man Flag to Torment 49ers Fans http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Seattle-Seahawks12th-Man-Flag-To-Torment-49er-Fans--243428911.html NBC Bay Area February 4, 2014 February 16, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222163012/http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Seattle-Seahawks12th-Man-Flag-To-Torment-49er-Fans--243428911.html liveWorld's largest 12th Man flag unfurled http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/worlds-largest-12th-man-flag/nc7wz/ KIRO TV January 30, 2014 February 16, 2014 February 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140214014117/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/worlds-largest-12th-man-flag/nc7wz/ dead Jordan Stead Joshua Trujillo 12th Man flag unfolds under Lady Liberty http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/football/slideshow/12th-Man-flag-unfolds-under-Lady-Liberty-78887.php SeattlePI.com January 31, 2014 February 16, 2014 February 16, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140216065311/http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/football/slideshow/12th-Man-flag-unfolds-under-Lady-Liberty-78887.php live have been seen all over Seattle whenever the Seahawks make the playoffs, including atop the Space Needle. In 2014, Boeing painted a Boeing 747-8 freighter aircraft with a special Seahawks livery, with the number 12 on the tail, and they later flew it over eastern Washington in a flight path spelling the number 12. Mutzabaugh Ben Boeing rolls out a mean-looking Seahawks 747 jumbo jet https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/01/30/boeing-rolls-out-a-747-jumbo-jet-painted-for-the-seahawks/5052387/ 2 June 2014 USA Today 30 January 2014 July 10, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170710021640/https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/01/30/boeing-rolls-out-a-747-jumbo-jet-painted-for-the-seahawks/5052387/ live https://www.foxnews.com/travel/boeing-unveils-seattle-seahawks-747-plane/ Fox News Fox News Boeing unveils Seattle Seahawks 747 plane January 31, 2014 February 1, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140201075824/http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/01/31/boeing-747-flies-seahawks-12-pattern-over-washington/ February 1, 2014 live mdy-all When the Seahawks took the field for Super Bowl XLVIII, they were led by LB Heath Farwell carrying the team's 12th Man flag Cohen Rachel Super Bowl Watch: Seattle Soaring in Super Bowl https://madison.com/travel/national/super-bowl-watch-welcome-to-new-jersey/article_e687f925-8d42-5478-9c18-3eb242a32341.html Associated Press madison.com February 2, 2014 July 26, 2022 July 26, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220726221609/https://madison.com/travel/national/super-bowl-watch-welcome-to-new-jersey/article_e687f925-8d42-5478-9c18-3eb242a32341.html live http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000323054/Super-Bowl-XLVIII-Seahawks-vs-Broncos-highlights Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks vs. Broncos highlights NFL.com National Football League March 30, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140330115619/http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000323054/Super-Bowl-XLVIII-Seahawks-vs-Broncos-highlights live per team tradition. http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=10730 Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl in a rout on February 2, 2014 historylink.org April 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407071051/http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=10730 live In May 2016, mountaineer David Liaño González displayed a 12th Man flag at the summit of Mount Everest. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/climber-displays-his-seahawks-allegiance-on-the-top-of-mount-everest/ Top of the world! Fan takes love of Seahawks to summit of Mount Everest June 8, 2016 Seattle Times February 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210206060447/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/climber-displays-his-seahawks-allegiance-on-the-top-of-mount-everest/ live The Seahawks' 12th Man has twice set the Guinness World Record loudest crowd noise at a sporting event, first on September 15, 2013, registering 136.6 dB during a game against the San Francisco 49ers Wilson Ryan Seahawks fans set Guinness World Record for loudest stadium http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23678037/seahawks-fans-sets-guinness-world-record-for-loudest-stadium cbssports.com CBS Sports October 13, 2014 September 16, 2013 February 27, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227013123/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23678037/seahawks-fans-sets-guinness-world-record-for-loudest-stadium live 12th Man lifts CenturyLink Field into Guinness World Record book for loudest stadium http://www.seahawks.com/news/2013/09/15/12th-man-lifts-centurylink-field-guinness-world-record-book-loudest-stadium Seattle Seahawks Seahawks.com February 23, 2016 September 15, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154216/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2013/09/15/12th-man-lifts-centurylink-field-guinness-world-record-book-loudest-stadium December 8, 2015 dead mdy-all and again on December 2, 2013, during a Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, with a roar of 137.6 dB.Florio Mike 12th Man sets new noise record http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/02/12th-man-sets-new-noise-record/ NBC Sports profootballtalk.nbcsports.com February 23, 2016 December 2, 2013 October 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161004165521/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/02/12th-man-sets-new-noise-record/ live Quinton Sean Seattle's 12th Man reclaims Guinness crowd noise record http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2013/12/02/seattles-12th-man-reclaims-guinness-crowd-noise-record/ SeattlePI.com February 23, 2016 December 2, 2013 October 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161004150620/http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2013/12/02/seattles-12th-man-reclaims-guinness-crowd-noise-record/ live As per an agreement struck between the Seahawks and Texas A&M in 2016, the Seahawks have virtually ceased from referring to their fans as the "12th Man",Rovell Darren Seahawks reach 5-years licensing deal with Texas A&M http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17274864/texas-affies-lends-12th-man-trademark-seattle-seahawks-5-year-deal.html ESPN.com August 11, 2016 August 11, 2016 May 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180520052626/http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17274864/texas-affies-lends-12th-man-trademark-seattle-seahawks-5-year-deal.html live and instead are using the term "12s" or the 12 Fan.http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s The 12s Seattle Seahawks Seahawks.com October 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20161203012510/http://www.seahawks.com/spirit-of-12/history-of-the-12s December 3, 2016 dead mdy-all http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17274864/texas-aggies-lends-12th-man-trademark-seattle-seahawks-5-year-deal Seahawks reach 5-year licensing deal with Texas A&M ESPN.com August 11, 2016 August 29, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160829044140/http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17274864/texas-aggies-lends-12th-man-trademark-seattle-seahawks-5-year-deal live Texas A&M from Traditions of Texas A&M University#12th Man y thumb|The Texas A&M student section of Kyle Field stands the entire game to show support for the football team. The first known instance of Texas A&M referring to its fanbase as the "12th Man" is contained on page 17 of the November 25, 1921, edition of The Battalion, the Texas A&M campus newspaper.The Twelfth Man The Battalion 10 November 25, 1921 17 http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/ianaggie/12man.jpg https://archive.today/20130131124321/http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/ianaggie/12man.jpg dead 2013-01-31 Students Association of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas Unknown Ever since the day E. King Gill left the stands in 1922; the entire student body stood throughout the game to symbolize their "readiness, desire, and enthusiasm" to take the field if needed.Texas Ag of Twelfth Man Fame Serving Uncle Sam Dallas Morning News 16 July 1942 http://www.hornsports.com/docs/aggy/DMN_Jul_16_1942.pdf AP Newswire November 20, 2012 October 6, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131006224012/http://www.hornsports.com/docs/aggy/DMN_Jul_16_1942.pdf live March 2018 A statue of E. King Gill stands on the campus.Cook Beano Beano Cook's top 10 moments in college football ESPN https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2615391 October 8, 2006 July 26, 2007 February 10, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070210025140/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2615391 liveESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game Michael MacCambridge ESPN Books New York, NY 2005 25 978-1401337032 Football coach Jackie Sherrill created the "12th Man Kick-Off Team" in the 1980s, composed of non-athletic scholarship students who tried out for the team. Coach Sherrill has written a book entitled "No Experience Required" which details this team and the tradition. These students were placed on the roster for the sole purpose of kickoffs. The squad was nicknamed "the suicide squad". These students often had little regard for their safety and were determined to make a tackle at any cost.Durham Timothy 12th Man honors Sherrill http://www.thebatt.com/2.8484/12th-man-honors-sherrill-1.1185209 The Battalion https://web.archive.org/web/20120111230623/http://www.thebatt.com/2.8484/12th-man-honors-sherrill-1.1185209#.Ug3hNX3LfK4 January 11, 2012 September 29, 2008NBC Evening News Vanderbilt Television News Archive http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=532988 September 2, 1983 https://web.archive.org/web/20120114205118/http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=532988 January 14, 2012 live May 22, 2009 mdy The 12th Man Kick-Off Team was extremely successful and eventually held opponents to one of the lowest yards-per-return average in the league during kickoffs.October 2014http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/12thman.shtml Twelfth Man December 31, 2006 Aggie Traditions https://web.archive.org/web/20061229030439/http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/12thman.shtml December 29, 2006 dead mdy Later, head coach R. C. Slocum changed the team to allow only one representative of the 12th Man on the kickoff team who wears uniform number 12. The player is chosen based on the level of determination and hard work shown in practices. Under Dennis Franchione, the 12th Man Kick-Off Team, composed of walk-ons, was brought back, though used only rarely when the team was up by quite a few points. http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=3452486 McNeil sets Aggie offense record in win over SMU September 17, 2005 Associated Press KTRK-TV dead November 11, 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051111004328/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=sports&id=3452486 Heater Jay LaMantia A&M's main 12th Man Oakl. Trib. HighBeam Research December 27, 2006 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5761605.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120509181413/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5761605.html subscription usurped May 9, 2012 On June 30, 2014, Texas A&M bought the domain name 12thman.com, which then became its official athletics website.http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/07/texas-am-purchases-12thman-com-domain-for-athletics/#20782101=0 Texas A&M purchases 12thMan.com domain for athletics David Barron Sports Update Houston Chronicle July 7, 2014 August 2, 2014 August 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140808064725/http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/07/texas-am-purchases-12thman-com-domain-for-athletics/#20782101=0 live http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=209536776 Texas A&M Secures Ownership of 12thman.com Texas A&M Athletics July 7, 2014 August 2, 2014 August 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043321/http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=209536776 dead Washington Redskins In 1986, the Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Commanders) released a video entitled "Thanks to the 12th Man".https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151341262304574 Washington Redskins facebook.com October 14, 2014 January 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160109002224/https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151341262304574 live Use in association football (soccer) List of retired numbers in association football#Number 12 thumb|Derry City's twelfth man in Paris, France The term "12th man" is commonly used in football to refer to the fans and occasionally the manager. A notable club famous for the twelfth man reference comes from Aston Villa, referring to the Holte End stand at Villa Park. Large European teams such as Bayern Munich, Malmö FF, Hammarby IF, Helsingborgs IF, Werder Bremen, Aberdeen, Rangers, Lazio, PSV, Feyenoord, Ferencvárosi TC, FC Red Star, Fenerbahçe S.K., and Sporting CP have officially retired the number 12 to the fans. Stockport County fans are registered as official members of their squad with the number 12.July 2009 Portsmouth F.C. has also retired its number 12 shirt, and lists the club's supporters, "Pompey Fans", as player number 12 on the squad list printed in home match programmes,July 2009 while Plymouth Argyle have theirs registered to the Green Army (the nickname for their fans).July 2009 Number 12 is also reserved for the fans at many other clubs, including CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town in England, as well as Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), Odense Boldklub, also known as OB, in Denmark, Malmö FF and Hammarby IF in Sweden, Persija Jakarta in Indonesia, Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Perth Glory in Australia. On Hammarby IF's, Helsingborgs IF, Malmö FF, Feyenoord and Werder Bremen's home games, the stadium speaker announces number 12 as "the fans" during team lineup announcements. Dynamo Dresden in Germany also keeps number 12 for their fans, as well as the official team anthem being "We are the 12th man". Aberdeen F.C. supporters commonly display a large banner in the shape of a football shirt with the text "Red Army 12" in place of a player's name and number.July 2009 The fans of the Northern Ireland national football team and Derry City are referred to as the 12th man as well. In the League of Ireland, Shamrock Rovers F.C. retired the number 12 jersey in recognition of the fans who took over the club in 2005. Cork City F.C., Clube Atlético Mineiro and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo also retired the number 12 for the fans.July 2009 The most vociferous fans of Boca Juniors in Argentina are known as the "Jugador Numero 12" (Spanish for "Player Number 12") or simply "La Doce" ("The 12"). On September 18, 2004, U.S. Lecce, an Italian team currently playing in Serie B, retired the number 12 to the fans, which was handed to them by the former captain Cristian Ledesma. They symbolically represent a 12th Man in the field.July 2009 In the beginning of 2009–2010 season, Happy Valley AA introduced the club's mascot, a panda, on squad list as the fan club captain wearing the number 12 jersey.HVAA Player Profile https://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/03/02/sport_delia_smith_interview_20050302_feature.shtml October 10, 2009 June 1, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090601005431/http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/03/02/sport_delia_smith_interview_20050302_feature.shtml live As of the end of the 2011–2012 season, Rangers F.C announced that the number 12 jersey would be retired in honour of the fans support throughout a period of financial difficulty.http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2757323 rangers.co.uk Rangers Dedicate No 12 Jersey to Fans https://web.archive.org/web/20120607133516/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2757323 June 7, 2012 Other usage In American football, the sideline is sometimes also referred to as the "12th man" or "12th defender": since a player is considered down when he steps out of bounds, the sideline effectively acts as an extra defender. This usage is less common than the one referring to the fans. In most sports the term can also be construed to mean the referee, implying that the match official favours one team and is not impartial.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38576689 Bacary Sagna: Man City defender charged by FA for Instagram post 2017-01-10 BBC Sport The Football Association allege that the defender's post, which was later deleted, "questioned the integrity of the match official". 2017-01-12 February 10, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180210062455/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38576689 live Effects The effects of the "12th man" vary widely, but can be put in two categories. The first is simply psychological, the effect of showing the home team that they are appreciated, and showing the away team that they are somewhat unwelcome. The second directly relates to the deafening effects of a loud crowd. In Association football, the crowd can be very passionate and often sing throughout the whole match. Some occasions where the crowd noise is extra loud can be before kickoff; during the buildup to and scoring of a goal; when encouraging the team to come back from defeat; to discourage an opposition penalty taker; or to harass a referee giving a free kick to the opposition team. In American football, fans are most incited by physical play, especially good plays made by the defense.Boling Dave Artificial noise? Much ado about Hawks' 12th Man http://dwb.thenewstribune.com/sports/seahawks/story/6109599p-5353332c.html The News Tribune Tacoma, Washington September 21, 2006 September 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071117052537/http://dwb.thenewstribune.com/sports/seahawks/story/6109599p-5353332c.html November 17, 2007 dead mdy Additionally, the home team can derive energy from the loud noise of their fans; former American football players have described the feeling of their adrenaline pumping after hearing the fans yell, which is "like you have a reserve energy tank". The noise of the crowd can have a significant impact on the players on the field. In American football, an extremely loud crowd can prevent the offensive linemen from hearing the snap count. This can have the effect of making the player slower to react when the ball is snapped, and his eventual response may be weaker than normal because each play is begun "with some indecision and doubt".Baldinger Brian Gaps in action can kill home-field edge The Sporting News January 12, 2004 September 11, 2007 http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/11863789/gaps-action-can-kill-home-field-edge https://web.archive.org/web/20141024155814/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/11863789/gaps-action-can-kill-home-field-edge dead October 24, 2014 The noise can also prevent players from hearing audibles and can make it difficult for the team's offense to coordinate plays in the huddle. The effect of the noise can often be measured in mistakes, such as false start penalties.Acee Kevin They're right on Q The San Diego Tribune December 26, 2006 http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061226/news_1s26chargers.html September 11, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061227164227/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061226/news_1s26chargers.html December 27, 2006 Coaches can take steps to minimize the effect of the crowd noise on their teams. Some American football teams bring large speakers to their practice fields and broadcast loud noises such as jet engines to prepare their teams for the anticipated noise level.Panthers thrive in hostile environments http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/01/21/pro_47980.shtml 2 June 2014 The Augusta Chronicle 21 January 2006 January 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160109002224/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2006/01/21/pro_47980.shtml live Crowd noise tends to diminish after a long lull in play, such as a pause for instant replay. Former NFL player Brian Baldinger speculates that some coaches draw out reviews as part of a coaching strategy to quiet the crowd for their next play. A researcher from Harvard University discovered in a study that some association football referees appeared to be impacted by crowd noise. His studies revealed that a home team acquired an additional 0.1 goal advantage for every 10,000 fans in the stadium.Study reveals referees' home bias bbc.co.uk BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6629397.stm May 6, 2007 September 11, 2007 August 20, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070820125457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6629397.stm live Delia Smith, Norwich City's joint major shareholder, received some attention when she took to the pitch during a half time interval, with a microphone in hand and Sky TV cameras in tow, to tell fans the side "need their twelfth man". "Where are you?" she cried. Norwich City lost the game in the final seconds, but Smith's passion worked to increase the affection the fans held for her. Delia Smith BBC interview bbc.co.uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/03/02/sport_delia_smith_interview_20050302_feature.shtml May 11, 2006 January 1, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060101150939/http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2005/03/02/sport_delia_smith_interview_20050302_feature.shtml live The current naturally loudest football stadium is Nef Stadium in Istanbul home of Galatasaray S.K. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1821923-loudest-stadiums-in-world-football Loudest Stadiums in World Football Karla Villegas Gama bleacherreport.com Turner Sports Network October 24, 2013 July 26, 2022 November 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211129120914/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1821923-loudest-stadiums-in-world-football live As a prepared attempt, the current world record for crowd noise at an athletic event was set on September 29, 2014, when the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the New England Patriots. Noise during that event reached a high of 142.2 decibels during a timeout. Fussell James A. KC Chiefs pay thousands to proclaim 'loudest stadium' record http://www.kansascity.com/living/article2496723.html kansascity.com; The Kansas City Star October 14, 2014 October 3, 2014 October 18, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141018013823/http://www.kansascity.com/living/article2496723.html live http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/1/loudest-crowd-roar-at-a-sports-stadium Loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium guinnessworldrecords.com October 17, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141017062753/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/1/loudest-crowd-roar-at-a-sports-stadium live Texas A&M trademark Texas A&M University applied on December 26, 1989, for trademark U.S. Ser. No. 74013898 74013898 related to usage of the term. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the 74013898 "trademark registration" September 4, 1990, to Texas A&M. Four additional Trademark claims related to the "12th Man" term were also filed and granted at later dates by Texas A&M University (See U.S. Ser. Nos. 74560726 74560726, 76671314 76671314, 85977835 85977835 and 85851199 85851199), the first three of which have achieved Incontestable Status as a result of its section 15 affidavit with the Patent and Trademark Office.January 2022 According to former Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne, he contacted the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills about halting their "12th Man" themes.Seahawks' "12th Man" angers A&M https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2309646 ESPN.com ESPN 2 June 2014 28 January 2006 March 11, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140311182200/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2309646 live Byrne stated that, "they responded quickly with our requests to stop using our Twelfth Man trademark". Moghe Sonia Trademarking your territory thebatt.com http://www.thebatt.com/2.8485/trademarking-your-territory-1.1196013#.Ux8nc_lkTzg https://web.archive.org/web/20100522080646/http://www.thebatt.com/2.8485/trademarking-your-territory-1.1196013#.Ux8nc_lkTzg 22 May 2010 27 January 2006 Alt URL https://web.archive.org/web/20120808065636/http://msl1.mit.edu/furdlog/docs/2006-01-27_thebatt_12th_man.pdf August 8, 2012 Texas A&M sent requests to stop using the phrase to the Seattle Seahawks in both 2004 and 2005. The Seahawks did not respond to the requests.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/seahawks/2006-01-30-12th-man-order_x.htm USA Today Texas A&M seeks restraining order over '12th man' January 31, 2006 March 7, 2014 March 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307185949/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/seahawks/2006-01-30-12th-man-order_x.htm live In January 2006, Texas A&M filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Seattle Seahawks and in May 2006, the dispute was settled out of court. Neither side admitted any fault or liability. In the agreement, the Seahawks licensed the phrase in exchange for $100,000, along with public acknowledgement as to Texas A&M's ownership rights of the phrase, and an additional annual fee.Seahawks, A&M resolve '12th man' dispute ESPN https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2437992 May 8, 2006 July 26, 2007 May 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082327/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2437992 live The compensation amounted to $5,000 per year.Jessop Alicia Texas A&M Stands To Earn More In Upcoming 12th Man Trademark Licensing Negotiations As Seahawks' Exposure Rises https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2014/01/31/texas-am-stands-to-earn-more-in-upcoming-12th-man-trademark-licensing-negotiations-as-seahawks-exposure-rises/ Forbes February 17, 2014 January 31, 2014 October 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211022135424/https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2014/01/31/texas-am-stands-to-earn-more-in-upcoming-12th-man-trademark-licensing-negotiations-as-seahawks-exposure-rises/ livehttp://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/1/19/5271954/12th-man-trademark-licensing-agreement-texas-am-aggies-seattle-seahawks "12th Man" - Inside Texas A&M's License Agreement with the Seattle Seahawks Brandon Hamburg January 19, 2014 Good Bull Hunting February 12, 2014 February 1, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140201212921/http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/1/19/5271954/12th-man-trademark-licensing-agreement-texas-am-aggies-seattle-seahawks live The agreement, which expired in 2016, limited the Seahawks' usage to seven western states and forbid them from selling any "12th Man" merchandise. In August 2015, the Seahawks shifted towards calling their fans the "12s", and replaced their "Home of the 12th Man" stadium sign with a new "Home of the 12s" sign.Daniels Chris CenturyLink Field no longer 'Home of the 12th Man' http://www.king5.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2015/08/14/12th-man-seahawks-texasam/31753553/ KING 5 News August 14, 2015 August 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150817222048/http://www.king5.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2015/08/14/12th-man-seahawks-texasam/31753553/ August 17, 2015 dead mdy-all On November 12, 2015, Texas A&M filed suit against the Indianapolis Colts after repeated cease and desist requests were ignored by the NFL team.Rovell Darren Texas A&M says Colts ignoring calls to stop use of '12th Man' https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14113722/texas-aggies-sue-indianapolis-colts-use-12th-man-trademark ESPN November 12, 2015 November 12, 2015 November 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151113065148/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14113722/texas-aggies-sue-indianapolis-colts-use-12th-man-trademark live On February 17, 2016, the lawsuit was settled with the Colts agreeing to remove the phrase from their Ring of Honor and to immediately cease all other uses of the trademarked phrase. In August 2016, the Seahawks agreed to a new five-year trademark licensing agreement with Texas A&M. As part of the agreement, the Seahawks agreed to pay Texas A&M $140,000 for limited rights to use the trademarked term. This agreement, like the previous agreement, prohibits the Seahawks from using the "12th Man" term on any merchandise. The new agreement, however, also prohibits Seattle from using the term on social media, nor are they allowed to use the term on any signage within their stadium, including their Ring of Honor. See also Sixth man Sixth man (fans) References 30em External links Texas A&M University Traditions Twelfth Man (archived) The Texas A&M Association of Former Students include an MP3 recording of The Twelfth Man Song. Seahawks.com: The 12th Man (archived) Category:American football culture Category:Association football fandom Category:Association football terminology Category:American football terminology Category:Spectators of American football Category:Buffalo Bills Category:Indianapolis Colts Category:Seattle Seahawks Category:Texas A&M Aggies football Category:12 (number)