Seattle Seahawks linemen tour town in western Alaska

BETHEL, Alaska — Two Seattle Seahawks toured a town in western Alaska to promote health and wellness and learn about Yup’ik culture.

Offensive linemen Joey Hunt and Jordan Roos were in Bethel for about nine hours Wednesday, stopping at the hospital, a youth center and the Lulu Herron Elders Home, KYUK-AM reported .

The NFL players autographed posters and posed in photos with Bethel’s elders. Elder Mary Nanuwak presented the linemen with a hand-knit hat and scarf and a bag of fry bread.

While some of the elders, like Gloria Anvil, may not watch much professional football, they said they were excited to meet the players.

“I’m glad they stopped by here,” Anvil said.

The Seattle players took a boat across the water to visit families’ fish camps outside of town.

“Just getting across there on the boat; we were just hauling it across that water,” Roos said. “It was awesome and the fish smelled amazing.”

The players toured the hospital with state Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, and they played games with children at the Bethel 4-H Youth Center.

“They say Bethel’s true Alaska,” Hunt said. “This is what we wanted to see, so we’re excited to be here.”