Seattle's Super Fan, Complete With Bendable Arms

Big Lo has been on a diet lately, so the most recognizable fan in Seattle said he might be difficult to spot Saturday at Qwest Field. He has cut down on his beer drinking -- not by too much, he said -- and started to exercise, if only once in a while.

He's now down to 460 pounds.

"I've lost about 40 and I can't lose much more," said Big Lo, whose real name is Lorin Sandretzky. "People need to be able to see me."

For almost a decade, the 6-foot-8 Sandretzky -- unmistakable in appearance and passion -- has become the icon for Seattle sports fans. He goes to almost every home game played by the Sonics, Mariners and Seahawks. His business card reads, "Seattle's Biggest Sports Fan." A local company created an action -- or is it in action? -- figure in his likeness.

This week, Big Lo said he has done almost 20 interviews about the Seahawks. Better yet, he's heard players interviewed about him . In a television spot on ESPN, Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs said he missed Seattle's fans, particularly Big Lo.

"I'm getting big-time exposure now," Big Lo said Tuesday night by telephone from Seattle. "It's all good, man. Publicity sells action figures."

Big Lo said that, of the hundreds of Seattle sporting events he has attended, Saturday's game promises to be the craziest. He has prepared a handful of signs to put up near his seat behind the south end zone. On one side, he wrote a message slandering the Redskins. On the other side, he welcomed back Springs.

There will be just one downside to Saturday's atmosphere. "It's going to be hard not to eat and drink and party," he said. "I know how it's going to happen: Hawks win, 27-10, and this whole town is going to be ready to party."

SECOND CAREER: On his way out of the Redskins' practice facility late Tuesday evening, safety Ryan Clark stopped by the media room to request a lesson in journalism. "You know," Clark said, "this might be my second career." Clark spent 10 minutes reading laptop screens and watching a TV journalist edit video. Then he perused a media guide, grabbed a bottle of water and headed out the door. "I don't think I can do this," Clark said. "You guys are in here too late."

FACTS ARE HEAVY: The Seahawks' public relations department yesterday had media guides for Saturday's playoff game delivered to Redskins Park. We didn't see the delivery go down, but we're thinking Seattle had to hire a full-blown moving company to get these things here. The guide concerns only one game but is nearly two inches thick -- slightly bigger than our favorite night-table tome, "The NFL Record and Fact Book."

SECRET ADMIRERS: At his weekly meetings with the media, Clinton Portis has worn costumes that have ranged from the odd ("Sheriff Gonna Getcha") to the truly bizarre ("Janky Spanky"), but this week's may have been the most frightening. Dressed as himself because of what he said were the demands of female fans, Portis spent half of his news conference reading a piece of fan mail that said, in part: "Dear Clinton: You are the most beautiful guy I've ever seen in my life. . . . " When he finished reading the letter, Portis said, "I had to come out and show my beautiful face for this young lady."

HOT TICKET: You might have missed your chance online to grab those cheap seats to Saturday's game. Ticket prices on Web sites have almost doubled since Monday. Upper-level seats listed for $130 on Monday morning sold for as much as $220 yesterday afternoon.

-- Eli Saslow