WATCH: Russell Wilson drops emotional goodbye video to Seahawks fans, community and city
Russell Wilson was synonymous with the Seattle Seahawks and embraced the community through multiple charity efforts since getting drafted by the organization in back in 2012. But in a stunning blockbuster trade earlier this week, the nine-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Denver Broncos and in the blink of an eye, the business side of the NFL was thrusted into the forefront.
There’s no doubt how much Wilson meant to the city of Seattle and how much the city, and Seattle Seahawks organization meant to him. On Friday, the quarterback dropped an emotional goodbye video on his social media accounts. Seattle fans better get their tissues ready, but again, Russell Wilson shows class on his way out.
While it felt like Wilson, the 5’11 undersized dual-threat passer who defied all odds from the moment he arrived at rookie training camp — felt like he would be one of the few NFL quarterbacks to start and end his career in the same city.
Russell Wilson came in as a third-round project who many talent evaluators deemed too small, but he wowed the Seattle coaching staff so much in his inaugural training camp that he beat out Matt Flynn — who had just inked a massive landmark deal to become the Seahawks starter — in his first unprecedented showing of many that came throughout his time with the organization.
What did he do to start his career with the Hawks?
The former Wisconsin Badgers QB, who began his collegiate career at NC State put together a phenomenal debut NFL campaign where he passed Peyton Manning’s then-record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie (26) and was named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.
Wilson has been named to nine Pro Bowls and has started in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos. He holds the record for most wins by an NFL quarterback through nine seasons (98) and is one of four quarterbacks in NFL history with a career passer rating over 100.