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.”

Steve sat in the drummer’s spot for a bit that evening while Chuck regaled the entire bar with his many stories.

While Steve’s father instilled the love of music in him, it was his mother who showed him what charitable giving was all about. Today, Steve and Sharon, married for 33 years, support numerous charities including The Lupus Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital and The Moyer Foundation.

For his many contributions to the community, former Governor Chris Gregoire proclaimed May 4, 2005 as Steve Raible Day.

Steve Raible carrying the ball as a Seahawks Wide Receiver - 1981

Steve’s roots, in Louisville, Kentucky, reach to his college football career at Georgia Tech. In 1975, he and his Georgia Tech team played against Notre Dame. Raible was angry that day after losing the game. Four years ago, several friends sent Steve a clip on YouTube, pointing out that Steve was now a movie star. That Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame televised game was featured in the final scene of the classic sports movie, Rudy…the scene where Rudy Ruettiger sacks the Georgia Tech quarterback and is carried off the field a hero!

Steve notes, however, had he on the second to last play of the game, and not deflected it from the Notre Dame defender, the game, the movie and Rudy’s life would have had a much different ending.

Steve’s Georgia Tech education prepared him for taking tests. The Seahawks defensive coordinator, Jerry Rhome, taught the team that the NFL was more of a mental game.

Raible recalls, “We would take (football-related) written tests on airplanes or the Friday before a game, or whenever.”

Raible admits there was a lot to know about the receivers’ positions.

“I was a great test taker,” he said, “but there were days when I didn’t exactly do the job on the field, but I sure got good grades on the tests.”

It was in 1982 when Sharon received a call from Pete Gross. Since Steve was out of town, Pete’s call to Sharon went like this:

“Steve is never going to be a (Steve) Largent. He may be able to squeeze out another year or two, but we have an opportunity for him at KIRO.”

Raible jumped on it.

He recalls, “For a decade it was the time of my life, the greatest and sometimes craziest learning experience a guy could ever hope to have.”

As the Voice of the Seahawks Steve is never at a loss for words in the broadcasting booth that he shares with legendary quarterback, Warren Moon.

“There’s always lots to talk about,” says Steve.

“I talk about the fans, the weather, coaches and players.”

Ninety minutes before game time, Steve and Warren are on the field chatting to whoever will talk to them.

“It’s easy,” says Raible. “People gravitate to Warren. He gets all the information, then shares it with me.”

For 13 years, Sharon and Steve lived on a 10-acre farm in Enumclaw caring for rescue animals from horses and llamas, goats and chickens to dogs and cats. From there, he commuted daily to KIRO, a trip that took one-and-one-half-hours one way.

When they moved to Seattle, they found homes for the animals, including some of the horses going to Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. They presently enjoy one dog and the proximity to the office.

Steve loves his job, loves Seahawks football and at 60 years old, notes, “60 is the new 45.”

He says, “I don’t have time to be unhappy. Stress takes too much energy.”

And adds, “I’m blessed.”

Retirement has not yet entered his mind.

“But when I retire,” he says, “I’ll spend a couple of months in Europe, not just a quick 10 days.”

Steve’s advice for Boomers and beyond…

“There are hundreds of opportunities with charitable organizations. Stay involved in the community, your church and in the things that make you happy!”

After announcing the plays for February’s Super Bowl, an ecstatic Steve called into the mike, “Twelves! They’re bringing the trophy home. Your Seahawks! Super Bowl 48 champions!”

As Steve rode with other sportscasters on one of the Ducks in Seattle’s Super Bowl parade celebration, a surprised Steve Raible acknowledged the exuberant crowd when they looked up and yelled to him, “Holy Catfish!”

MORE INFORMATION

The Raibles support the following charities:

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Home Society of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Gilda’s Club Seattle, The Lupus Foundation, The Moyer Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Wellspring Family Services.

Awards abound:

Steve and Sharon were honored with the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Grace Heffernan Arnold Guild of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Steve has also received the community Hero Award from the Washington Dollars for Scholars program, honored with the United Way Community Service Award, Outstanding Role Model by Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award.

For his broadcasting, Raible earned five local Emmy Awards, including two for Best Anchor. Twice, received the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence at KIRO 7.

He was honored nationally with the Columbia University Alfred I. DuPont Award for excellence in television broadcasting for the documentary, Why the Orcas of Puget Sound are Dying.