Steve Raible

Biography

Steve Raible has achieved the remarkable distinction of being associated with the Seattle Seahawks franchise every year of its existence, first as an original player and for nearly five decades as the beloved "Voice of the Seahawks." Born on June 2, 1954, in Louisville, Kentucky, Raible attended Trinity High School, becoming its first alumnus to play professional football, before starring at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Playing as a tight end and wide receiver in the wishbone offense under head coach Pepper Rodgers, he recorded 13 receptions for 277 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. Selected by the expansion Seattle Seahawks in the second round (59th overall) of the 1976 NFL draft, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Raible played as a wide receiver for six seasons from 1976 to 1981, all under head coach Jack Patera. Wearing number 83, he accumulated 68 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns across 84 games (seven starts). His most productive season came in 1978 when he recorded 22 receptions for 316 yards and one touchdown. During the expansion era when most NFL players needed off-season jobs—Raible made $27,000 his first year—he worked in construction and tended bar at the famed Hector's Restaurant in Kirkland. His final season in 1981 was cut short by a collapsed lung suffered in the second preseason game and torn ankle ligaments during the regular season, limiting him to just one reception. Raible's playing strengths compensated for his playing alongside Hall of Famer Steve Largent, earning him the affectionate nickname "the other Steve": exceptional speed clocked at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash, making him Georgia Tech's fastest player and a legitimate deep threat; versatility demonstrating his ability to contribute on rushes and kickoff returns; an engaging personality and media savvy that made him quotable and popular with reporters; a locker room presence providing energy and camaraderie during the franchise's formative years. Following his retirement at age 28 in 1982, Raible immediately transitioned to broadcasting, accepting an offer from Pete Gross to become the color analyst for Seahawks radio broadcasts on KIRO. He served in that role for 22 years before becoming the lead play-by-play announcer in 2004, a position he continues to hold, known for his signature catchphrases "Are you kidding me?!" and "Holy catfish!" Simultaneously, Raible built a distinguished career as a weeknight news anchor at KIRO-7 for almost thirty years, earning five Regional Emmy Awards, including two for "best anchor." He hosted Emmy Award-winning documentaries, led election coverage and major breaking news stories, and for over two decades served as the voice of KIRO-7's Seafair coverage featuring hydroplane races and the Blue Angels airshow. Upon his 2020 retirement from the news, KIRO-7 honored him by naming its broadcast facility "The Steve Raible Studio." Raible has called some of the biggest games in franchise history, including the Super Bowl XLVIII championship over the Denver Broncos. Raible was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame in 2005, and named an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient in 2001. Raible married his wife Sharon in 1981, and together they have raised millions of dollars for Northwest charities.