Groz’s Week 3 Seahawks memory: Curt Warner establishes ‘Ground Chuck’

Welcome to a new series where 710 ESPN Seattle host emeritus Dave “The Groz” Grosby looks back at a memorable Seahawks game from this week. With the Hawks beginning preparations for Week 3 of the 2020 season, today Groz looks back at Week from 37 years ago.

The year was 1983 and a change had come to the Seattle Seahawks that had the town buzzing.

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After firing Jack Patera, the franchise’s original head coach, during the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Seahawks made some noise by bringing in an established winner. Chuck Knox had won six division titles and a Coach of the Year nod in his previous 11 seasons in Los Angeles and Buffalo. His offenses were known for years as “Ground Chuck,” which was fortuitous as the Seahawks had taken Curt Warner of Penn State with the third overall pick in that year’s draft.

Seattle won its first game under Knox the week before against the Jets, where it set a team record for rushing attempts.

Week 3 brought in the San Diego Chargers. “Air Coryell” was in its heyday as they had made two deep playoff runs the previous two years under head coach Don Coryell and figured to be good again. But this day belonged to the Seahawks and their new power running game.

Warner ran for over 100 yards and the team produced over 200 yards on the ground with Dan Doornick and David Hughes chipping in. It was a big day for Steve Largent as well, helping Seattle build a 34-17 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Chargers battled back with two scores but the Hawks carried the day 34-31 (click here for the box score). The game featured a key interception late by our pal Paul Moyer, who earned the praise of his coach after the game.

The win started the Seahawks on the path to their first ever playoff appearance which ended in the AFC Championship against the Raiders, and the Kingdome rocked from then on.

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