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 2024
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.
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. |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
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| Weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
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| High school | Collegiate School
(Richmond, Virginia) |
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| College | - NC State (2007–2010)
- Wisconsin (2011)
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| NFL draft | 2012 / round: 3 / pick: 75 |
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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 (2024) |
Russell Wilson Season with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Category | Details |
Current Team | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Signing | One-year contract in 2024 |
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 2024 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.
