National Football League

Seahawks, Sounders visit town near fatal mudslide

Published Apr. 1, 2014 1:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

DARRINGTON, Wash. (AP) A dozen Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC athletes visited a Washington community devastated by a deadly mudslide.

More than 300 people came to the community center in a nearby town Monday. Players tossed footballs and Sounders forward Kenny Cooper played soccer with the kids.

Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith signed autographs and posed for photos. He said players hoped to offer release or a distraction from the tragedy.

One child, 10-year-old Jacob Spelman, wore an autographed bright green hat commemorating the Seahawks' Super Bowl. He says he felt like the players cared, and that they would like it if community members felt better.

At least 27 people were killed in the mudslide that hit the rural community of Oso northeast of Seattle on March 22.