Rookie Grey Zabel has earned more than just a spot on the Seattle Seahawks roster; he’s acquired the esteemed number of a Hall of Famer. The offensive lineman will don No. 76, previously worn by legendary guard Steve Hutchinson. But before the debut, Zabel sought to get approval straight from the source.
Zabel reached out to the Hall of Famer himself, concerned about respecting the legacy Hutchinson left behind during his five seasons in Seattle. “He was all for it and super excited for it,” Zabel shared with the press on Thursday, as reported by Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “I mean, no better number to wear in Seattle history.”
Drafted in the first round in 2001, Hutchinson’s departure from Seattle was not without drama. After receiving a tantalizing offer sheet from the Minnesota Vikings laden with a “poison pill” clause, Hutchinson made the controversial move to Minnesota. In retaliation, Seattle utilized the same clause to snag their former player Nate Burleson from the Vikings.
This loophole exploitation led to discreet admonishments from the league as the two franchises danced dangerously close to regulatory boundaries.
Hutchinson went on to have a distinguished career, finishing with stints in Minnesota and Tennessee. His contributions to the game were recognized when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Following Hutchinson's departure, players like Russell Okung, Germain Ifedi, and Duane Brown have since carried the No. 76 tradition. For Zabel, wearing this number comes with not only a sense of pride but also a recognition of those who came before him.
