The team announced police officers will wear the jerseys of opposing teams this season to monitor fan behavior.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks opened the 2025 season on Sunday with more than 68,000 fans at Lumen Field, including thousands of 49ers fans and a handful of undercover police officers disguised as supporters of the division rival.
The Seahawks announced last week that plainclothes officers would wear opposing team jerseys to blend into the crowd.
The team said the effort is intended to help officers detect fans violating the stadium’s code of conduct.
“It makes sense … they’ve had plainclothes officers out there all the time because it’s quite the interesting gameday experience,” said KING 5 law enforcement analyst and former King County Sheriff John Urquhart. “Especially if they’re going to get harassed or have some drunk coming up to them, whatever it is. It makes sense.”
The team did not say how many officers are working undercover. A heavy uniformed police presence also remains in place around the stadium.
“To be honest with you, I’m here every year, seven or eight games every year, and everything is safe. I don’t think we need that,” a Seahawks fan told KING 5 as he left the game.
His friend, a 49ers fan, was more supportive of the move.
“I think it’s good and ensures safety, if they have any problems or trouble with people,” he said.
The Seahawks said officers will specifically be watching for the following behaviors:
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Behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal in nature
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Over-intoxication or other signs of alcohol or substance impairment
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Offensive language or obscene gestures, including those related to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, creed, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or national origin — or behavior intended to instigate, incite or encourage confrontation or physical assault
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Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field)
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Failure to follow instructions from stadium personnel
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Verbal or physical harassment of home or opposing team fans
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Smoking/vaping or using tobacco or marijuana on Lumen Field property
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Soliciting or selling merchandise, tickets, food or beverages on Lumen Field property
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Unauthorized entry into the field of play or other restricted areas, interfering with the progress of any game or event, attempting physical contact with an event participant, or engaging in any other disorderly conduct deemed dangerous
The Seahawks encourage fans to report inappropriate behavior by texting a message to HAWK12 (429512) during home games.
