Prior to moving to Wisconsin in 2011, where he established the single-season FBS record for passing efficiency (191.8) and guided the Badgers to a Big Ten championship and the 2012 Rose Bowl, he played college football and baseball at NC State from 2008 to 2010.
Additionally, he was a second baseman with the Tri-City Dust Devils in 2010 and the Asheville Tourists in 2011. His professional baseball rights are currently held by the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees’ Double-A club.
The Seattle Seahawks chose Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft (75th overall). Wilson had a fantastic first season after defeating Matt Flynn for the starting job during training camp. Wilson tied Peyton Manning’s previous record for the most passing touchdowns by a rookie (26) and won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.
Wilson started his preparation for the NFL Scouting Combine on January 16, 2012, at the IMG Madden Football Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Wilson was predicted by NFL scouts and analysts to go in the middle rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.
As the sixth quarterback chosen, Wilson was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. Wilson in particular was the target of harsh criticism for the Seahawks’ draft picks at a time when they had just signed free agent Matt Flynn. On May 7, 2012, Wilson agreed to a four-year, $2.99 million deal with the Seahawks.
On March 16, 2022, the Seahawks dealt Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, tight end Noah Fant, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick.
Wilson “checked out” of the squad mid-season, according to Wilson’s teammates, who said that the move was inevitable. Wilson started the trade, according to a statement from Seahawks chairman Jody Allen.
Wilson reportedly objected to the team firing offensive line coach Mike Solari and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, according to the Seahawks. Wilson claimed that although he did not propose the transfer, it was a mutual decision.
Russell Wilson’s Children: Does Russell Wilson Have Any Kids?
Wilson has two children with his superstar wife Ciara. Their first child; a daughter was born on April 28, 2017. On January 30, 2020, they announced that they were expecting their second child together. Their son was born on July 23, 2020.