Breaking news:Miraculous Decision by Seattle Seahawks Saves Team From Maritime Disaster
In what can only be described as a miraculous turn of events, the Seattle Seahawks narrowly avoided what could have been a devastating tragedy at sea this past weekend. The NFL franchise had been scheduled to travel aboard a chartered cruise ship—operated by Carnival Cruise Lines—as part of a unique team-building retreat, but made a last-minute decision to cancel the trip. That very ship, the Carnival Crest, tragically capsized off the western coast of Mexico late Sunday night, with over 1,200 passengers and crew on board.
A Retreat Turned Nightmare—But Not for the Seahawks
The trip, originally planned months in advance, was intended to serve as a bonding experience for the newly restructured Seahawks roster. Under new head coach Marcus Lattimer and general manager Sandra Hughes, the franchise had taken a forward-looking approach to building team chemistry during the offseason. A five-day cruise had been organized, departing from San Diego and making stops in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
However, just 48 hours before the planned departure, team leadership announced that the Seahawks would no longer be participating in the cruise. At the time, the decision was said to be “based on concerns over scheduling conflicts and player wellness.” Some speculated that the team wanted to focus more on its minicamp preparations than on recreational activities. Others suggested potential contract or insurance conflicts.
No one, however, could have anticipated that this choice would turn out to be a life-saving one.
Catastrophe Strikes at Sea
According to U.S. Coast Guard officials, the Carnival Crest suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure in the early hours of Sunday morning, roughly 70 nautical miles southwest of the Baja Peninsula. Early reports suggest that the vessel’s propulsion system malfunctioned, leading to a loss of steering capability. High swells and turbulent weather contributed to the disaster, and within hours, the cruise liner began listing heavily to port. Attempts to stabilize the ship failed, and by 2:45 a.m., it had capsized completely.
Rescue operations began immediately, with Mexican naval forces and U.S. Coast Guard teams coordinating a large-scale evacuation effort. As of this writing, 879 people have been rescued, many with minor injuries. Sadly, 37 individuals are confirmed dead, and over 200 remain unaccounted for. Recovery operations are still ongoing.
“We Just Felt Something Wasn’t Right,” Says Head Coach
Speaking at a press conference held Monday afternoon, Seahawks head coach Marcus Lattimer revealed that the decision to pull the team from the cruise came after a gut feeling shared among the coaching staff and front office.
“There wasn’t one specific reason,” Lattimer said, visibly emotional. “We had some logistical red flags. Some players weren’t comfortable being away for that long, and we started to get this feeling that maybe this wasn’t the right time or place. It wasn’t based on fear—just instinct.”
General Manager Sandra Hughes added that concerns over player health and availability played a significant role. “