Steve Raible: Touchdown Seahawks!

“Holy 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.

Steve seated by Blue Angels Pilot and events coordinator, Shaun Swartz

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, chose football at an early age.

Steve Raible's book, "Tales from the Seahawks Sidelines," was published in 2004

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 three-piece jazz band warmed up in the bar.

“Somewhere in there, I let it slip that I had played drums since age 11, back when my father played in big bands, jazz bands and orchestras,” said Steve.

“Chuck in all his glory, walked over to the bar, bought drinks for everyone and headed over to the band. He pulled out $25 and told the drummer to disappear for a while.”