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VOL. 14
NO. 8 OCTOBER 2014
Steve Raible: Touchdown Seahawks! …by Suzanne G. Beyer
“H
oly Catfish! Touchdown Seahawks!” calls an exuberant Steve Raible, with a special passion for football, especially for this team. Steve Raible, the former Seahawks wide receiver, with his 6 ft. 2 in. frame, slate blue-grey eyes and clean-shaven face, no longer sports the mustache of his football days. “I was told I looked like everyone’s brother or uncle with that mustache,” he says. Steve watches his weight and stays in good shape for the busy life he leads. Despite the lack of mustache, he still looks like he could catch that long pass and run with it. Steve Raible’s typical day will make your head spin. He can serve as guest speaker at a charitable event, co-anchor two KIRO 7 news broadcasts and grant an interview, all in a day’s work. And let’s include that his truly active schedule begins July 4th announcing Seattle’s annual fireworks event, the summer Torchlight Parade then Seahawks’ play-by-play Voice of the Seahawks commitments. How does he do it all? “I’ve learned to budget my time and I compartmentalize everything,” says Raible. With six years as a Seahawks player, 33 years as a broadcaster and 11 years Voice of the Seahawks, you would think Steve had no time left over. “I like to golf,” he says. He admits he only finds time to play twice a year for a charity event, like the KIRO Kids Classic Golf Tournament. What makes Steve Raible so successful? Steve recalls his dad’s words, “Try different things! Focus on being the best you can be!” Steve in no way felt he could fill his dad’s huge footsteps. His father, a professional musician, also excelled in baseball, becoming a minor league player. But, Steve took his own route. With music echoing throughout his home, Steve decided to take up the drums and, instead of baseball,
Steve Raible, KIRO 7 news anchor, played for the Seattle Seahawks for six years. For nearly three decades he's been a member of the Seattle Seahawks radio broadcast team, taking over the play-by-play in 2004. His Seahawks card shows his Southern roots, where he played at Georgia Tech
chose football at an early age. In Raible’s co-written book, Tales from the Seattle Seahawks Sideline by Steve Raible and Mike Sando, Steve describes a scene where he gets to show off his musical talents. The setting was Lofurno’s, an Italian restaurant in Seattle. There was Chuck Knox, former Seahawks head coach; Pete Gross, former Voice of the Seahawks; their wives, along with Steve and his wife, Sharon. After dinner, a bottle of wine or two and plenty of stories from Knox, a threepiece jazz band warmed up in the bar. “Somewhere in there, I let Steve seated by Blue Angels Pilot and events coordinator, it slip that I had played drums Shaun Swartz since age 11, back when my Today, Steve Kentucky, reach to his college father played in big bands, jazz and Sharon, football career at Georgia Tech. In bands and orchestras,” said married for 33 1975, he and his Georgia Tech team Steve. years, support played against Notre Dame. Raible “Chuck in all his glory, numerous was angry that day after losing the walked over to the bar, bought charities game. Four years ago, several friends drinks for everyone and including sent Steve a clip on YouTube, headed over to the band. He The Lupus pointing out that Steve was now a pulled out $25 and told the Foundation, movie star. That Georgia Tech vs. drummer to disappear for a Steve Raible's book, Tales Notre Dame televised game was while.” from the Seahawks Sidelines, Seattle was published in 2004 Children’s featured in the final scene of the Steve sat in the drummer’s Hospital and classic sports movie, Rudy…the spot for a bit that evening The Moyer Foundation. scene where Rudy Ruettiger sacks while Chuck regaled the entire bar For his many contributions to the Georgia Tech quarterback and with his many stories. the community, former Governor is carried off the field a hero! While Steve’s father instilled Chris Gregoire proclaimed May 4, Steve notes, however, had he the love of music in him, it was 2005 as Steve Raible Day. his mother who showed him what continued on page 26 Steve’s roots, in Louisville, charitable giving was all about.