04:33 PM PDT on Monday, May 8, 2006

Associated Press

KING

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled a blue 12th man flag at Friday's "Go Hawks Day" rally at Westlake Park.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The fight over the "12th Man" is over and both Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks will be able to use the phrase.

The university and the Seahawks said Monday they had reached a deal settling the university's lawsuit over the phrase reserved for fans.

As part of the agreement, the Seahawks acknowledge Texas A&M's ownership rights of the trademark phrase. However, the NFL team may continue using it under license. Neither side admitted any fault or liability.

The Aggies hold trademark rights to the phrase "12th Man." In February, the university filed a lawsuit in Brazos County over the Seahawks use of the trademark. Days before Seattle faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, a restraining order was issued calling on the Seahawks to halt any usage of "12th Man," or "12th Mania."

Origins of the term "12th man" aren't exactly clear, but the traditions in Seattle and College Station date back decades.

The Aggies trace their use to 1922, when an injury-plagued roster led the team to pull E. King Gill from the stands and suit him up to play. Gill never took to the field, but the legend strengthened campus-wide commitment to support the team. The words "Home of 12th Man" adorn the stadium and the entire school is considered the 12th Man.

The Seahawks retired the number 12 in 1984 to honor fans who made the old Kingdome one of the noisiest stadiums in football.