Victoria raises 12th man flag to support Seahawks

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Musician Dave Matthews poses for photos after he raised the Seattle Seahawks 12th Man flag. [Ted S. Warren/AP]

VICTORIA — A blue-and-white flag backing the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday’s Super Bowl has joined the Maple Leaf in the skies above British Columbia’s capital.

Chants of "Seahawks, Seahawks," rang out as Victoria Coun. Chris Coleman raised the 12th-man flag in the Inner Harbour, within eyesight of the legislature, Royal B.C. Museum, statue of Queen Victoria and Empress Hotel.

Seattle plays the New England Patriots in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday, and the flag salutes the fans and the team that is looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Coleman says Victoria residents have a long history of supporting Seattle sports teams and the city held a similar ceremony last year prior to the Super Bowl game that Seattle won.

He says locals often travel by ferries and float planes to watch games in Seattle, and Victoria Seahawks fans consider themselves 12th man north.

Vancouver will follow suit Friday morning by raising a Seattle Seahawks flag on the ceremonial pole at City Hall.

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