The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks—A Curated History of the Legion of Boom Era

by Michael-Shawn Dugar

In The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks, take a more profound and unique journey into the history of an iconic team.

This thoughtful and engaging collection of essays captures the astute fans’ history of the franchise, going beyond well-worn narratives of yesteryear to uncover the less-discussed moments, decisions, people, and settings that fostered the team's iconic identity.

Through wheeling and dealing, mythmaking and community building, explore where the organization has been, how it came to prominence in the modern NFL landscape, and how it’ll continue to evolve and stay in contention for generations to come.

Hawks fans in the know will enjoy this personal, local, in-depth look at team history.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Rob Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in the UK and have been a member of the 12s since 2020. As such I came to follow this team during the “Let Russ Cook” era and didn’t get to experience the Legion of Boom firsthand.

I know the names and have seen the clips, but Michael-Shawn Dugar really paints a picture of the players, their motivations and what drove them towards success. It also explains just why THAT play became such a sliding doors moment, and prevented this group becoming a dynasty.

The structure of the book can be a little scattershot, with chapters not always seeming to flow into the next, but I finished it much better informed and excited for football to be back in a few weeks

[Roland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of the Seahawks for over two decades and was obviously captivated by the LOB and the rest of the Carroll-era characters.

This book covers a series of topics I thought I knew a fair bit about. In some cases, it provides a bit of additional context that I previously didn't have, giving me a more complete understanding. On other topics, opinions I have held for a long time were turned completely on their heads. With anecdotes from the players and staff at the center of it all, I consider this book the authority on the Carroll years.

Dugar has done a masterful job pulling together stories from numerous larger than life figures and turning them into a consistently engaging and relatively concise book. A must-read for any Seahawks fan or NFL historian.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midway through the book it really starts breaking down where all the friction between Russell Wilson and Lynch and the defense.
It made alot more clear why things fell apart and why Russell Wilson isn't viewed that fondly by former teammates.
I suspect many of those players feel like if they just had an above average qb like Sam Darnold who was less dynamic but less flawed and agenda driven that they would have won more.
Tough to read.

[Jonathan Colbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, this book sent me on a rollercoaster of emotion. I become a fan of Seattle around 2012 so lived through all the glory of the LOB, and the fallout of the team. Michael-Shawn does a great job of detailing and deep diving into everything you need to know about one of the NFLs greatest teams of all time

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great gift for the Seahawks fan in your life (unless I am said fan, in which case I appreciate the gesture but already own the book). Filled me with nostalgia and frustration. Enjoyed learning a bit more about the backstory of some of the players, especially Browner and Avril.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sports book. Interesting approach in the non linear telling of events which kept it fresh. Very interesting getting into the dynamics of the team and the personalities behind the players.

If you are into sports books, this is a great read.

[Andrew Vanover · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the outside looking in the LOB Seahawks fall-off after Super Bowl 49 seemed abrupt and confusing. MSD’s insightful and complete perspective on that era in Seahawks history is a must-read for any fan.