Dave,

It is my memory that there was a contest to see who could suggest the
best name for Seattle's football team. I believe that several people
suggested the name "Seahawk" simply because it starts with the same
letters as the city name and it brings to mind images of saltwater and
a fierce, swift predatory bird, all wonderful things to associate the
local football team with.

After the name was selected there have been several attempts to put some
real bird's image on paper to go with the name. The osprey has been
chosen because it occurs here in Washington, it fishes in the saltwater
environment and it could, conceivably, be called "Seahawk" by people
who don't know the proper names for birds.

That's my explanation. It may not be a good one but it's the one I
believe is accurate.

Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife