Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. With the Seahawks, Wilson has won one Super Bowl (XLVIII) and has been selected for five Pro Bowls.
Wilson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, a lawyer, and Tammy Wilson, a legal nurse consultant. His father played football at Dartmouth College and was a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Wilson has an older brother, Harrison IV, and a younger sister, Anna. Wilson started playing football when he was seven years old.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Family
2. High School Career
3. College Career
4. Professional Career
5. NFL Career Statistics
6. Awards and Honors
7. Personal Life
8. Russell Wilson Quotes
- Early Life and Family
Russell Wilson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, a lawyer, and Tammy Wilson, a legal nurse consultant. His father played football at Dartmouth College and was a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. Wilson has an older brother, Harrison IV, and a younger sister, Anna.
Wilson started playing football when he was seven years old. He played Little League baseball as a pitcher and shortstop, and he also played soccer. Wilson attended Collegiate School, a preparatory school in Richmond, Virginia.
- High School Career
As a high school senior, Wilson threw for 3,287 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for 1,132 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was named the Richmond Times-Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year and the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. He has also been named a Parade All-American and was the quarterback of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl East squad.
Wilson also played basketball and baseball. In baseball, he has named a second-team all-state selection as a senior.
- College Career
Wilson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he played football for the Wisconsin Badgers. He redshirted his first year in 2008, and then he played in all 13 games in 2009, starting three games. In 2010, Wilson was the Badgers’ starting quarterback for all 13 games. He threw for 2,879 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2011, Wilson’s senior year, he threw for 3,175 yards and 33 touchdowns and ran for 338 yards and six touchdowns. He was named the Big Ten Conference’s Gatorade Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Manning Award and the Maxwell Award.
- Professional Career
Wilson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $2.99 million contract with the Seahawks.
Wilson became the Seahawks’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2012 season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round and the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional round. They then lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game.
In 2013, Wilson led the Seahawks to a 13-3 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round and the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round. They then defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl to win Wilson’s first NFL championship.
In 2014, Wilson was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to a 12-4 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round and the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round. They then lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
In 2015, Wilson was selected for the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round and the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional round. They then lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos in the NFC Championship game.
In 2016, Wilson was selected for the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to a 10-5-1 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round. They then lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional round.
In 2017, Wilson was selected for the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to a 9-7 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. They then lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional round.
In 2018, Wilson was selected for the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. They then lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams in the Divisional round.
In 2019, Wilson was selected for the Pro Bowl. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. They then lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers in the Divisional round.
- NFL Career Statistics
- Passing
- Rushing
- Receiving
- Awards and Honors
- Super Bowl champion (XLVIII)
- Pro Bowl (2013-2017)
- First-team All-Pro (2017)
- Second-team All-Pro (2014)
- NFC Offensive Player of the Year (2014)
- NFL passing touchdowns leader (2017)
- Personal Life
Wilson is married to the singer Ciara. They have two children together, a daughter named Sienna Princess and a son named Win Harrison.
Wilson is a Christian. He has said that his faith is “the most important thing” in his life.
Russell Wilson Quotes
“I’m a big pasta guy, but I’ve cut it out to stay fast and lean.” — Russell Wilson
“I took a huge risk leaving baseball because I was predicted to play in the big leagues. I’m kind of a prototypical second baseman.” — Russell Wilson
“Every game’s a championship game. When we focus that way, get prepared that way that this is it, you know, this is the last one, the biggest one-you get ready, you get amped up, you get that laser focus and you’re ready to play.” — Russell Wilson
“Being a quarterback, the way I believe is there’s always so much room to improve. Any little detail. I always cut up the film and try to watch what I can improve on, whatever little detail it is.” — Russell Wilson
“I had this urge to play the game of football because so many people said I couldn’t do it.” — Russell Wilson
“With my dad passing away, he’s always watching me-a big smile on his face, watching every snap on the 50-yard line.” — Russell Wilson
“When we are at the worst times of our lives, when we are battling with something, or struggles, whatever it may be, when we are at our highest point as well, when things are going really well, we want somebody to comfort us and be there for us and to say, ‘Well done.’ That’s Jesus!” — Russell Wilson
“My dad used to wake me up at 5:30 in the morning and hit me ground balls and tell me, ‘Don’t be afraid to excel. Don’t be afraid to be great.’” — Russell Wilson
“I’ve tried to do everything possible to prepare myself and prepare our football team to be great.” — Russell Wilson
“My height doesn’t define my skill set. To be a great quarterback, you have to have great leadership, great attention to detail and a relentless competitive nature – and I try to bring that on a daily basis.” — Russell Wilson
“So that Sunday morning I ended up going to church and that’s when I got saved.” — Russell Wilson
“I know the coaches definitely trust me and my ability to throw the football.” — Russell Wilson
“We’ll do whatever it takes to score as many points as we can-and definitely one more point than the opponent.” — Russell Wilson
“I believed that I could go to the Super Bowl and win multiple Super Bowls and do all of those things. I believe in that every day.” — Russell Wilson
“God is good all the time. Every time.” — Russell Wilson
“In elementary and middle school, I threw kids against the wall. I rubbed their heads in the dirt at recess. I bit them. I even knocked teeth out.” — Russell Wilson
“I’ve been through a lot in life, and had some ups and downs. It’s what’s led me to this day.” — Russell Wilson
“I used to beat up kids and bite kids and do stuff all the time.” — Russell Wilson
“Since I was in high school, I wanted to play professional football and professional baseball, be a two-sport star.” — Russell Wilson
“I’m going to the Super Bowl again.” — Russell Wilson
“There’s a king in every crowd.” — Russell Wilson
“I think God cares about everything he created.” — Russell Wilson
“I ended up getting drafted by the Colorado Rockies on June 8, 2010 and the next day, my dad passed away, in June 9, 2010. So I’m at the biggest high of my life on June 8th. And the next day, June 9th, he’s gone.” — Russell Wilson
“I thought about all the people that told me I couldn’t do it and told me I couldn’t get there.” — Russell Wilson
“Every day I wake up and that’s my goal, to be on a constant quest for knowledge and do something different, being unique and being uncommon.” — Russell Wilson
“I don’t think I’ve arrived. I think I’m continuing to get there, getting closer and closer to where I want to go. But I’m not there yet.” — Russell Wilson
“I have high expectations of myself. I always have, always will. That will never waver. I always believe in my talent – always have.” — Russell Wilson
“I truly believe in positive synergy, that your positive mindset gives you a more hopeful outlook, and belief that you can do something great means you will do something great.” — Russell Wilson
“The only person I can change is the one in the mirror.” — Russell Wilson
“Live with a purpose, play with a purpose.” — Russell Wilson
“The more that we choose not to talk about domestic violence, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we lose.” — Russell Wilson
“I remember my dad asking me one time, and it’s something that has always stuck with me: ‘Why not you, Russ?’ You know, why not me? Why not me in the Super Bowl? So in speaking to our football team earlier in the year, I said, ‘Why not us? Why can’t we be there?’” — Russell Wilson
“Always persevere, always have a great perspective, and always have great purpose in your life.” — Russell Wilson
“My thing is, and I’ve always been this way – to get to know as many people as I possibly can on a personal level, so that way, when you get on the football field, you’ve got your buddy right beside you, and you’re ready to go.” — Russell Wilson
“I had a dream that my dad passed away and that Jesus came into the room and he was basically knocking on my door, saying, ‘Hey, you need to find out more about me.’ So that Sunday morning I ended up going to church, and that’s when I got saved.” — Russell Wilson
“Separation comes from preparation.” — Russell Wilson
“My faith is so strong that I believe that God made me 5-11 for a reason. For all the kids that have been told, no, that they can’t do it, or all the kids that will be told no.” — Russell Wilson
“I try to do something physical every day. I don’t go heavy every day, though.” — Russell Wilson
“For me, I’m able to use my gift to glorify God. That’s what it’s about for me.” — Russell Wilson
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