Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong attended a recent Republican fundraiser where they presented President Bush with a Seahawks jersey.  Naturally, people were self-righteous dipshits about it:

"How dare Hasselbeck declare Bush an honorary Seahawk," wrote one. "Who is Matt speaking for? Bush is no Seahawk. He is the worst president of my lifetime, and I'm almost 60. Shame on you, Matt."

"To learn that two of the most popular Seahawks are strong (Bush) supporters ruins the season for me and my family," wrote another…

Added Hasselbeck: "I don't understand. This is America. We're not going to agree on everything."

Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Did he not get the memo?  Athletes aren't allowed to have opinions on politics.  He should have done something less damaging to his reputation, like cheating on his wife or getting a DUI.  At least that wouldn't have ruined the season for fans.

[FanHaus] 

Today the New York Times places its discerning spotlight on the NFL's new ad campaign, aimed at improving the image of the league in the wake of an offseason of Michael Vick, Pacman Jones, and a bevy of other run-ins with the law.  Rather than respond directly to the legal woes of a small group of players, the ads — which feature Matt Hasselbeck, Willie McGinest, Brady Quinn, Vince Young, and Braylon Edwards — proactively highlight positive aspects about standout players.

The commercials feature five players — selected for their marquee names and clean-cut images — and are planned to run through the 2007-8 football season, appearing on television and on Web sites like nfl.com… In [one] spot, [Young] discusses how all his rose tattoos are in honor of “the women in my life,” including his mother, sisters, nieces and a grandmother. “I’m trying to get another rose,” Mr. Young says, “for my other grandmother; I don’t want to upset her.”

Sure, I guess this could work.  Or… instead of using Cleveland Browns as 60% of the league's representatives, they could just run a highlight package of people getting hit really hard.  "Yeah!  That guy got knocked out!  NFL players are awesome!" 

But whatever, the tattoo thing is good, too.

Friends, I won't lie to you: after Matt Hasselbeck threw his third interception 16 minutes into the game, I very nearly walked into traffic. Every time Hasselbeck dropped back to pass, I thought it was going to be intercepted. It's a sickening feeling. But now I know how Steelers fans feel. A mile in their shoes and such. People in Pittsburgh have shoes, right?

Anyway, thanks to the reappearance of 2005 Shaun Alexander (40 carries, 201 yards) the ol' Seahawks rallied to beat the Pack 34-24 despite Hasselbeck's four first half turnovers and about 70 dropped passes by his receivers. Not to be outdone, Monday Night Warrior Brett Favre (career Monday night record: 17-15) threw three INTs as well, out-Favring Hasselbeck late in the game to end the Packers' slim playoff hopes.

Oh, and it snowed, which made a bunch of very witty commentators think that it was more like Green Bay. I just thought it was pretty and put on my mittens.