COLLEGE STATION, Tex. -- 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 trademarked phrase. However, the NFL team

may continue using it under license. Neither side admitted any

fault or liability.

"Our fans won't notice any changes in what we do," Seahawks

chief executive officer Tod Leiweke said at team headquarters in

Kirkland, Wash. "They won't see any changes in the stadium. We are

really happy about that."

The only change the Seahawks will make is on any broadcasts that

feature the 12th Man. A statement that the 12th Man is a trademark

of Texas A&M University will be included on such broadcasts.

Texas A&M officials declined to say how much the licensing fee

would be for the Seahawks, noting the final documents have not been

filed in court.

Steve Moore, Texas A&M's vice president for communications, said

in a story in Tuesday's Bryan-College Station Eagle that the

university would do some monitoring to ensure the terms of the

settlement are followed.

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 phrase. 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 Seahawks retired the number 12 in 1984 to honor fans who

made the old Kingdome one of the noisiest stadiums in football.

The Aggies trace their use to 1922, when an injury-plagued

roster led the team to pull E. King Gill from the stands and suited

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.

"We absolutely respect their tradition," Leiweke said. "I've

learned a lot about it. Our entire organization has learned a lot

about it. It's pretty amazing how far back it goes."

The Seahawks are discussing selling a 12th Man burger during

this coming season at concession stands inside Qwest Field.

The Seahawks see home fan noise as a real asset; Qwest Field had

the most false-start penalties against visiting teams in the NFL

last season -- Seattle's best showing in that department.

"The 12th Man symbol is a lot more relevant in our world than

it's ever been," Leiweke said. "The fans and the team became one

last season.

"We never sold merchandise with the 12th Man on it. It is

really a symbol of our fans and the relationship our team has with

our fans."