SEATTLE — John Clayton was across the table from me, laying down the gauntlet. It was 1996, and I had just joined The Seattle Times as Seahawks beat writer — his turf. He invited me out to lunch one day during training camp at Northwest College in Kirkland, and over teriyaki and rice John politely let me know what I was in for, professionally. “If you work 10 hours, I’ll work 12,” he said. “And if you work 12, I’ll work 14. If you work 14, I’ll work 16.” There was a glint of amusement in his eyes, but the message was clear: He took his job as Seahawks reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune very,…
