Seattle Seahawks

Bruce Irvin: 'I want to be in Seattle'

Published Jun. 19, 2015 11:02 a.m. ET

foxsports

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin tried to clear up any rumors on Thursday after the Seahawks 1-day minicamp about not wanting to be in Seattle. Irvin was quoted earlier in the offseason about wanting to play for his hometown team the Atlanta Falcons.

Irvin is now making it very clear that he would like to continue playing for the Seahawks beyond this season.

"I want to be in Seattle," Irvin said, via ESPN.com. "Obviously, my words got misinterpreted."

Irvin has thought about playing for his hometown Falcons, but is happy where he is.

"I'm from Atlanta," he said Thursday. "My whole family is still in Atlanta. That's every kid's dream to play for their home team. But right now, I'm in Seattle and I love being in Seattle. Hopefully, that's for the rest of my career."

Irvin went on to praise GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll for taking a shot on him in the draft three years ago.

"In 2012, I had a lot of questions coming out before the draft," Irvin said. "Pete and John stuck their necks out there for me and took me in the first round. So why wouldn't I want to be here?"

Irvin was originally frustrated this offseason when the Seahawks did not pick up his fifth-year option. He said he now has a better understanding of the business side and will just concentrate on the things he can control.

"I got the message that it's a business," he said. "It gave me extra motivation, I can say that. I got a little complacent, and I feel like that really put a chip on my shoulder. I can't do nothing about what they're doing upstairs, but I'm going to go out here and handle my business. I'm ready to do what I've got to do."

(h/t ESPN)