But just so everybody is clear, yeah, the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. For real.
It's an important and rewarding moment for a lot of people - the city, for being so patient with the franchise; Mike Holmgren, for finally getting the team to where he said he would; Matt Hasselbeck, for proving that he can step up in a big game; Shaun Alexander, for getting that playoff monkey off his back; and me, for seeing one of my favorite teams earn a title berth for the first time. (There are a bunch of others, but consider this the condensed version of the list.)
I'm still speechless. I've been conditioned for so long to expect disappointment and bitter heartbreak that I don't really know how to respond to something like this. I'm sure many of you (at least among the Seahawks fans) are having the same problem. Maybe it'll sink in tomorrow, or Wednesday, or two Sundays from now, but until then, I'll just keep pinching myself while walking around with a stupid grin on my face.
What effect does the Seahawks' success have on the Mariners? Right now, who cares? Revel in the moment, Seattle. This has been a long time coming, and you deserve it.