‘I fight to live, I want to live’; Seahawks superfan defies ALS to catch first game in years

Seahawks superfan defies ALS to see first in-person game in 21 years

A love that began in 1976, Dan Farnsworth has been a Seahawks fan since the beginning. Now, he attracts fans of his own.

SEATTLE - A love that began in 1976, Dan Farnsworth has been a Seahawks fan since the beginning. Now, he attracts fans of his own.

"Watching the Seahawks game makes me feel a lot better, it makes me feel really good," said Dan. "I love the Seahawks."

"I feel like he makes a friend everywhere he goes," said Hilary Hansen, a recreation therapist with Providence Elder Place in Columbia City. "You know, the other day he was racing another lady in her wheelchair, and I don't know, he makes friends easily and, obviously, a really nice guy and deserves some good opportunities."

Dan doesn't know how many he has left—he battles a vicious and fatal disease every day.

"I've had ALS for four years," said Dan. "I was supposed to die three years ago, and I keep kickin' and kickin' and kickin' it."

ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle atrophy. Hansen and the Seahawks worked out a way to get Dan and five of his friends to the Seahawks-Cardinals game.

It was his first game in-person in 21 years, and Seattle won 20–10.

"Yeah, I'm really happy about that," said Dan.

"He's been pretty excited, walking through the halls telling people he's going to this game. I remember the first time I mentioned that there was this potential opportunity, he told his roommate, and he didn't believe him," said Hilary. "So, it was pretty fun to follow through. They obviously watch the games together, and I think it's just, again, that form of community, being able to talk about something collectively."

Geno Smith is Dan's favorite player, but he has the spirit of head coach Pete Carroll—one of relentless positivity. There is no cure for ALS, and yet Dan believes.

"I fight to live, I want to live, I want to be happy," said Dan. "I think I'm going to outlive this thing, I hope I do, hope I outlive it."