Seattle's four major pro sports teams join together for "It Gets Better" video

Inclusiveness, fair play, diversity core values all four teams share

The four major professional sports teams in Seattle have joined together to create a video message for the “It Gets Better Project.” Players from the Seattle Storm, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners are featured in the video, which was posted today on YouTube, the individual team websites, and was submitted today to www.itgetsbetter.org.

The participating players are center Lauren Jackson and forward Swin Cash of the Storm, forwards Mike Fucito and Roger Levesque of the Sounders, wide receiver Mike Williams of the Seahawks, and relief pitcher Brandon League and infielder Brendan Ryan of the Mariners.

“As far as we can tell, this is the first time a community’s professional sports teams have joined together to take a stand on this important issue. We are proud to be part of it,” said Chuck Armstrong, Seattle Mariners President and COO.

“The messages in the video are core values of our organization, so it was easy for us to agree that the Storm would participate,” said Karen Bryant, Seattle Storm President and CEO.

“We believe our role in the community is very important,” said Seahawks and Sounders FC president Peter McLoughlin. “This video provided an opportunity for all the professional teams to come together and offer a message of hope and encouragement to our young fans.”

The It Gets Better Project and website were launched in Seattle last fall by syndicated columnist Dan Savage in response to a startling number of teen suicides and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens. In the months since, tens of thousands of individuals and organizations have posted videos that offer encouragement and support to LGBT youth.

The video was produced courtesy of ROOT SPORTS.