Seahawks introduce wide receiver Percy Harvin

By Brady Henderson

RENTON – Percy Harvin had a wide smile and watery eyes as he was introduced as the newest member of the Seahawks on Tuesday.

Flanked by coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider on the stage at the team’s headquarters, Harvin posed for pictures with a Seahawks jersey bearing his name and new number before the three answered reporters’ questions for nearly 30 minutes.

Here are a few notes:

Happy to be here. A big relief, a dream come true, surreal, and a blessing were all terms Harvin used to describe his thoughts on joining the Seahawks. Harvin said he hadn’t slept much since Friday, the day general manager John Schneider said the trade talks with the Vikings began to intensify. Harvin said he’s looking forward to reuniting with Sidney Rice. The two receivers became close during their time in Minnesota.

You can bet Harvin is excited about his new quarterback, too. Harvin’s misgivings about Christian Ponder are believed to be among the reasons he was unhappy in Minnesota. Russell Wilson apparently texted Harvin once the deal was reached, and the two met in-person at the team’s headquarters Tuesday.

“His body of work speaks for itself,” Harvin said when asked why he’s looking forward to working with Wilson. He then mentioned Wilson’s work ethic, noting that he was watching film when the two met.

Harvin’s attitude. Numerous reports of some acrimonious disputes with the Vikings have led to the perception that Harvin can be moody and volatile.

Carroll said Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who held the same title during Harvin’s first two seasons in Minnesota, vouched for the receiver’s attitude and competitiveness when the team began exploring a trade.

Harvin’s competitiveness was one of the first things Carroll mentioned in his opening remarks.

“We love bringing in football players that love to compete,” Carroll said. “There is not a football player that we could find that can compete more, battles more than this guy right here, so he’ll fit in just right for us.”

Looking back. Harvin had nothing but nice things to say about Vikings. He refuted the notion that displeasure over his contract led him to bolt from the team’s mandatory minicamp last June, saying it was “other situations” without elaborating. He complimented coach Leslie Frazier and some former teammates, but made no mention of Ponder.

Returning kickoffs. Carroll said Harvin will return kickoffs, but it’s not clear whether he’ll do so full-time. Harvin and Carroll had spoken about it, and the way Harvin described that conversation left the impression that he may not return every kickoff.

“He said, ‘We’ll manage it.’ He definitely wants me to be back there, but he’s going to manage me and we’ll go from there,” Harvin said.

No more migraines. Harvin said the migraine headaches that caused him to miss time during his first two NFL seasons are a thing of the past. He thanked Vikings ownership for its role in finding an effective treatment of the condition, something he had dealt with since childhood. He said he hasn’t had a migraine in two years.

New number. Harvin said he had no problem switching jersey numbers after wearing No. 12 for the Vikings. That number, of course, is retired by the Seahawks. Harvin will wear No. 11, which he wore in high school.