Russell Wilson Biography 2025 Age, Born, Family, Salary, Net Worth And More

Russell Carrington Wilson, born November 29, 1988, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Wilson is best known for his remarkable 10-season tenure with the Seattle Seahawks and his two seasons with the Denver Broncos. As a member of the Seahawks, he earned nine Pro Bowl selections and led the team to their first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Widely regarded as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, Wilson is celebrated for his ability to both pass and run effectively. Wilson began his athletic career playing both football and baseball at NC State, where he played from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to the University of Wisconsin in 2011. At Wisconsin, he set the single-season passer rating record in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and guided the Badgers to a Big Ten championship and a 2012 Rose Bowl appearance. Additionally, he played minor league baseball during the off seasons, spending time with the Tri-City Dust Devils in 2010 and the Asheville Tourists in 2011.

Russell Wilson Biography 2025

The Seattle Seahawks selected Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he quickly made a name for himself, tying the rookie record for most passing touchdowns and winning Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Over his career, Wilson led the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XLVIII and narrowly losing Super Bowl XLIX after a memorable interception by Malcolm Butler at the goal line. Known for his consistency and success, Wilson holds the record for the most wins by an NFL quarterback in his first nine seasons and is one of only five quarterbacks with a career passer rating over 100. In 2019, he signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Seahawks, making him the highest-paid NFL player at the time. He further cemented his legacy by becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 or more touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. After being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022 and signing a five-year, $245 million extension, Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos was marked by disappointment, culminating in the team having the league’s worst scoring offense in 2022. By the end of the 2023 season, Wilson was benched and ultimately released, signing a one-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason.

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Off the field, Wilson is recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2020 and received the Bart Starr Award in 2022. He is also a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, and his investment coincided with the team’s victory in the 2019 MLS Cup.

Russell Wilson Biography Details

Born November 29, 1988 (age 35)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 206 lb (93 kg)
High school Collegiate School
(Richmond, Virginia)
College
  • NC State (2007–2010)
  • Wisconsin (2011)
NFL draft 2012 / round: 3 / pick: 75

Russell Wilson Early Life

Wilson was born at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He is the son of Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, a lawyer, and Tammy Wilson, a nurse director. He has an older brother, Harrison IV, and a younger sister, Anna. Wilson’s interest in sports began at an early age, playing football with his father and brother when he was just four years old. He went on to play his first organized game for the Tuckahoe Tomahawks youth football team in sixth grade.

Wilson’s family has a rich history, with his paternal grandfather, Harrison B. Wilson Jr., serving as the president of Norfolk State University, and his maternal grandfather being renowned painter A. B. Jackson. According to genetic analysis, Wilson is 62% African, 36% European, 1% West Asian, and 1% Central Asian. His European lineage traces back to Saint Arnulf of Metz and Charlemagne. Wilson has also mentioned having Native American ancestry, although he has not specified the tribe. His father was a standout football and baseball player at Dartmouth and briefly played as a wide receiver with the San Diego Chargers’ preseason squad in 1980. His brother, Harry, also played football and baseball at the University of Richmond, and his sister Anna played basketball at Stanford. Tragically, Wilson’s father passed away from complications related to diabetes in June 2010, just one day after Wilson was drafted by the Rockies to play professional baseball.

Russell Wilson High School Career

Category Details
High School Collegiate School, Richmond, Virginia
Sports Played Football, Basketball, Baseball
Notable Records Over 3,000 passing yards, 1,100 rushing yards in senior season
Achievements All-state, Conference Player of the Year
Media Appearances Featured in Sports Illustrated for state championship performance

Russell Wilson College Football Career

Category Facts
College 1 North Carolina State University (NC State)
College 2 University of Wisconsin
Key Stats (NC State) Over 10,000 passing yards, 107 touchdowns
Key Stats (Wisconsin) Set single-season passer rating record (191.8), Consensus All-American
Achievements 2011 Big Ten Champion, Rose Bowl appearance
Notable Honors First-team All-ACC (NC State), Big Ten Quarterback of the Year

Russell Wilson NFL Draft and Early Career

Category Details
NFL Draft Year 2012
Draft Position 3rd Round (75th overall)
NFL Team (First) Seattle Seahawks
NFL Milestones Rookie season: Most passing touchdowns by a rookie, NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year
Super Bowl Championships Super Bowl XLVIII (2014, Seahawks Champion)

Russell Wilson Achievements and Records with the Seattle Seahawks

Category Years
Pro Bowl Selections 9 (2012–2015, 2017–2021)
NFL Honors Super Bowl Champion (XLVIII), NFL Passing Touchdowns Leader (2017), NFL Passer Rating Leader (2015)
Seahawks Records Most passing yards in a playoff game by a rookie (385), Most rushing yards by a quarterback (849 in 2014)
Super Bowl Appearances 2 (2014, 2015)

Russell Wilson Transition to the Denver Broncos

Category Information
Trade Year 2022
New Team Denver Broncos
Contract 5-year, $245 million deal
Performance Disappointing seasons, benching in 2023
Final Season with Broncos Released and signed with Pittsburgh Steelers (2025)

Russell Wilson Season with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Category Details
Current Team Pittsburgh Steelers
Signing One-year contract in 2025
Role Veteran backup quarterback
Expectations To mentor young quarterbacks and provide leadership

Personal Life

Category Points
Foundation Why Not You Foundation
Focus Youth empowerment and education
NFL Honors Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2020)
Other Ventures Part-owner of Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Russell Wilson Legacy and Impact

Category Details
Dual-Threat Ability Known for balancing passing and rushing effectively
Leadership Recognized for leadership on and off the field
Career Influence Widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his era
Lasting Impact Successful NFL career with long-term contributions to sports culture

Early Football Influences

Category Details
Family Influence Father played football, brother was a multi-sport athlete
Key Mentors Father’s guidance, high school coaches
Educational Background Strong academic influence from his grandfather (Norfolk State University)

Transition to Professional Football

Category Details
College to NFL Transferred from NC State to Wisconsin, eventually drafted in the 3rd round
NFL Entry Overcame size concerns due to his short stature (5’11”)
Draft Reception Initial surprise at being a third-round pick despite strong college performance

Russell Wilson Signature Playing Style

Category Facts
Passing Style Accurate, quick release, deep ball threat
Running Ability Dual-threat with a knack for making plays outside the pocket
Clutch Performance Known for game-winning drives and Super Bowl appearances

Personal Traits and Leadership

Category Details
Leadership Style Positive, motivational, team-first mentality
Personality Charismatic, philanthropic, dedicated to self-improvement
Team Impact Effective in locker rooms, builds strong relationships with teammates

Professional Milestones and Recognition

Category Information
Awards 9 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl Champion, NFL MVP votes
NFL Ranking Consistently ranked among top quarterbacks for passing and rushing stats
Historic Moments Led Seahawks to franchise’s first Super Bowl title

Russell Wilson Off-Field Business Ventures

Category Details
Business Interests Part-owner of Seattle Sounders FC
Media Presence Appeared in commercials, popular culture, and public speaking engagements
Entrepreneurial Ventures Launched multiple business ventures focused on sports and wellness

Russell Wilson Net Worth

Russell Wilson is an American professional football player who has a net worth of $165 million.

Russell Wilson Summary

Russell Wilson career has been defined by his exceptional skills as a quarterback, his leadership on and off the field, and his contributions to philanthropy. From his early days as a multi-sport athlete to becoming a Super Bowl champion, Wilson has left a lasting legacy in the NFL. While his time with the Denver Broncos didn’t meet expectations, his move to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 represents a new chapter in his career. Wilson’s impact on the game, as well as his personal and charitable contributions, solidifies him as one of the most respected figures in the world of professional football.

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