Macdonald: Jody Allen a ‘driving force’ behind Seahawks’ success

There are plenty of sports franchises that have owners that like to be in the spotlight.

Brock and Salk: Seattle Seahawks have embraced Macdonald’s message

Ask many fans who the most recognizable figure from the Dallas Cowboys is and many will answer with outspoken owner Jerry Jones.

But ask those same fans about the Seattle Seahawks and very few would bring up Jody Allen. Many outside of the Pacific Northwest wouldn’t even know who she is.

After the death of her brother and former Seahawks owner, Paul Allen, in 2018, Jody Allen took over the Seahawks and has served as their chair since. Outside of speculation of the team’s future ownership, she hasn’t been in the spotlight much since, but that changed Sunday.

Allen rose the 12 Flag before the Seahawks’ NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams. Afterwards, she was in front of the nation during an on-field postgame interview that aired live on FOX.

While that was one of the few times football fans across the country have had a chance to hear from Allen, her fingerprints are on this Super Bowl-bound Seahawks team, including having a strong connection with head coach Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald explained how he and Allen had an instant connection during an interview a year ago when he joined Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday.

“We got to spend some time together, just her and I, and you could feel what she wanted for this team and for our city, and I got excited about that because it was like we shared that vision about what we’re trying to get to,” Macdonald said.

Macdonald also gave some credit to Allen for being a “driving force” to the team’s success.

“She’s just been incredibly supportive throughout the whole thing,” he said. “We’ve made some tough decisions here and we’ve gone through some not-so-great points last year and some growing pains and things like that. I’ve just always felt like she’s just been steadfast in support and just wanting to just keep growing. I wouldn’t say it’s patience, but it’s like, yeah, she felt very strong about what type of team that we should be, and a team that our city and the 12s are gonna be proud of.

“All those things that we’re trying to create now, really she’s a driving force behind it and it’s awesome.”

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Facing former team, Kupp helps propel Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl
• Stacy Rost: Sam Darnold meets the moment for Seattle Seahawks
• Seahawks avoid disaster after Riq Woolen’s taunting penalty
• Seattle Seahawks’ ‘Dark Side’ defense has its legacy moment
• Turning Points: The plays that won Seahawks the NFC Championship

Related

Where Seahawks can feast on Commanders’ defenseSalk on Seahawks: What has the NFC West showed through 2 weeks?Brock: One element of Drew Lock’s game isn’t getting enough creditDaniel Jeremiah: What makes Seahawks’ defense differentSeahawks’ Julian Love making case he’s an ‘elite’ safetyWhen is the right time for Seahawks’ Sam Darnold to return?