For Russell Wilson, Aug. 26 Will Always Be a Day to Remember
Since he’s been in the NFL, Russell Wilson hasn’t changed. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback has maintained the same work ethic he came into the league with. He’s always been grateful for the opportunity he has. Aug. 26 has always be a special day for Wilson and he won’t ever forget why.
Russell Wilson’s wild ride to the NFL
Russell Wilson gambled. He left North Carolina State with one year of eligibility remaining and transferred to a different college. He had been playing both football and baseball at NC State. Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies. His passion, however, was football.
Wilson made the move after his college coach was unhappy when Wilson said he was going to report to spring training with the Rockies in 2011. “Russell and I have had very open conversations about his responsibilities respective to baseball and football,” O’Brien said in a statement, according to ESPN in 2011. “While I am certainly respectful of Russell’s dedication to baseball these last several years, within those discussions I also communicated to him the importance of his time commitment to NC State football. My staff and I thank him for his contributions as a member of Wolfpack football and to this university and wish him only the best in the future.”
Wilson transferred to Wisconsin where he threw for 3,175 yards in his lone season with the Badgers. He also threw 33 touchdown passes. Wilson was selected by the Seattle Seahawks during the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Wilson having a Hall-of-Fame career
Russell Wilson wasn’t supposed to be this good. Third-round quarterbacks usually don’t start from Day 1. They usually don’t play in every single game. At some point, they’ll have a losing season. Wilson has defied all odds as he enters his ninth season with the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson was named the starter Week 1 in his rookie season and hasn’t missed a start since. He made the Pro Bowl in his first season in the NFL and has added five more Pro Bowl selections to his resume since 2012. Wilson has compiled a career regular-season record of 86-41-1 and has never had a losing season.
Wilson, 31, has completed 64.5% of his passes during his career. In addition to his 227 career touchdown passes, Wilson has also rushed for 19 touchdowns. Last season, he threw just five interceptions in 516 regular-season attempts. He threw 31 touchdowns.
Always grateful for Aug. 26
Russell Wilson will always remember the day he was told he’d be getting his first start in the NFL. After eight years playing with the big boys, he’s still thankful. He tweeted “8/26 is a great day. Forever Grateful” on Wednesday, showing just how grateful he really is.
On Aug. 26, 2012, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made the tough choice of starting a rookie third-round draft pick. “Russell Wilson will start against the Raiders (in the preseason finale) and will start the first week of the regular season,” Carroll said, according to NFL.com. “He is so prepared, he does not seem like a first-year quarterback.”
Wilson then tweeted, “I’m thrilled to get this opportunity thanks to @petecarroll, my @Seahawks teammates and the #12thman.” Some things never change.
