Grieving QB rejoins Seahawks

KIRKLAND — Practice was voluntary, and after the loss he experienced, Trent Dilfer was the last player the Seahawks figured would show up at team headquarters yesterday.

But Dilfer did indeed appear, somber yet eager to reunite with coaches and teammates six weeks after the death of his son, Trevin. Trent Dilfer, wearing his red practice jersey, accepted condolences from teammates and watched the first workout of the June minicamp.

Afterward, he spoke to reporters for the first time since 5-year-old Trevin's death from a heart virus on April 27.

"It's been obviously very difficult, and there will be a time when myself and my wife (Cassandra) will sit down and go through the story and share in more detail kind of what we've gone through as a family during my son's sickness and his death and afterwards," Dilfer said. "Right now ... I really don't want to talk much about it simply because I don't know everything yet, and I'm not done. I'm just really not done digesting it all."

Dilfer fought back tears as he continued.

"Today was a big step, because this (the team) is my family as well. These guys and this team meant a lot to Trevin. It's been hard, but it's been great, too, being back with the guys and getting my blood hot for football again. It's exciting, and ... he (Trevin) would be excited for me."

Players and coaches tried to make Dilfer feel welcome and expressed their happiness at seeing their teammate. Dilfer is still recovering from a torn Achilles, and he has not played or practiced since suffering the injury against the Dallas Cowboys in October. But he did walk out on the practice field yesterday without crutches or braces or a noticeable limp.

"For him, football might be the best therapy," coach Mike Holmgren said. "He's very realistic, and he knows I'm here to help him any way I can, as are his teammates. He can use football for the healing process. His family, his wife and kids, they don't have football. So he might go home next week, depending on how they feel."

The Seahawks will practice once a day until Thursday, take Friday to participate in a golf tournament benefiting team charities, and then resume their passing camp next Monday through Wednesday.

"As his teammates and his friends, the one thing we can do is be there for him," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "Make him laugh, make him smile and make him feel good about being here."

"I don't know what to say to him," center Robbie Tobeck said. "It's unimaginable. ... If he wants to talk about it, you talk about it with him."

Dilfer, 31, is entering his 10th NFL season and third with the Seahawks. Dilfer won't be able to practice until the beginning of training camp next month, Holmgren said.

"His Achilles, according to medical people, has healed up pretty good," Holmgren said. "Now he has to stretch the range of motion in his ankle. He's probably about four or five weeks behind where he would be normally, condition-wise.

"There's not a doubt in my mind he's going to be ready for the season."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com.