With a raspberry for the refs, fans welcome Hawks home

It may have been fitting that Qwest Field was bathed in sunshine Monday afternoon, because so many people there were talking about Miami. That's Miami, Florida, host of the 2007 Super Bowl.

"We support our Seahawks. Our feelings for them haven't changed one bit," said Kim Meritt, 44, of Bothell, sporting a Joe Jurevicius jersey. "We're already looking forward to next year so we can go see them in Miami, where it's warm."

The thousands of fans at Qwest Field generated their own warmth in showing their affection for their returning NFC Champion Seahawks. And they had some spicy remarks about the NFL referees who some said cost Seattle a Super Bowl title.

Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren drew one of the event's loudest cheers when he told the crowd, "We knew it was going to be tough going against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I didn't know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well."

Broadcaster and former Seahawk receiver Steve Raible, who emceed the rally, also drew a hearty cheer suggesting if Holmgren is fined by the league for that remark, plenty of people on hand might be willing to help him pay it.

Even before the team arrived, fans were voicing complaints about the referees.

"When the officials start to determine the outcome of the game, people have to speak up," said Justin Smith, 24, of Tacoma. "It seemed just about every good play we had was called back."

Homemade signs around the stadium displayed the same sentiment, including the one held by David Bannon, 45, of Lynnwood, that said, "Seahawk 12th man wear green and blue. Steelers 12th man wear black and white."

Another fan's sign reported the Super Bowl outcome as "Refs 21 Hawks 10."

Far more signs, however, expressed gratitude for the team that put Seattle in the first Super Bowl since the team was created in 1976.

Penni Peotter, 45, of Ballard, was there with the 10-foot-by-12-foot, blue-and-white "12" nylon sign she and her boyfriend spent three days making. "I'm just so excited that the Seahawks got to the Super Bowl," Peotter said. "We've been looked down upon by other cities and that's changing. If this team stays together next year, they're not going to be touchable."

Gov. Christine Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels were on hand to greet the team on a large platform in the center of the field as a crowd estimated by the Seahawks at 15,000 spread out in the stands.

Gregoire predicted that this time next year, "We're going to fly south to Miami. ... We're going to win the national championship."

The team's arrival was delayed about 40 minutes from the planned 2 p.m. start, but the delay seemed only to heighten the drama when the team's Boeing 757 made a low pass near the stadium before landing at Boeing Field.

Tricia Ledo, 25, of Burien, said she and 14 relatives arrived at Qwest Field by 10 a.m., two hours before the gates opened, to make sure they got choice 50-yard-line seats for the event. Of the Super Bowl loss, Ledo said, "It still stings a little bit, but you can't change the outcome after the game's over. We're going to take it in stride and get ready for next year."

After Holmgren spoke, the crowd cheered brief remarks by running back Shaun Alexander, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and linebacker Lofa Tatupu, with Tatupu triggering a roar by simply saying, "See you in Miami."

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com. Seattle Times staff reporter John Boyle contributed to this report.