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 Linda Thomas
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Russell_Wilson.jpg
As the Seahawks get ready to play the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, New York Times statistician Nate Silver picks the Patriots and Seahawks for the Super Bowl. Silver correctly predicted the outcome of every state race in the recent Presidential election, and has a baseball stats background to boot. (AP photo)

The childhood, family, and faith behind Seahawk Russell Wilson

January 10, 2013 @ 5:17 pm (Updated: 11:07 am - 1/11/13 )

In a way, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson started calling plays when he was in fourth grade.

Whenever there was a rainy-day recess and the students had to stay inside to play, he directed the other kids in play - to the dismay of his teacher.

"They'd have a game or something they'd be playing and Russell would sit in the rocking chair and the other kids would be on the floor and he'd kind of run the game," says Russell's mom, Tammy Wilson. "His teacher said he was a little aggressive or assertive. I think he was a leader then."

Tammy, like most moms, is proud of her son.

"I always knew he was going to do something great, something special, because he's a special kid," she says.

Russell grew up in a close family in Richmond, Virginia with his dad Harrison Wilson III, his older brother Harry, and his younger sister Anna.

He spent every moment he could playing sports - especially basketball - with his big brother.

"Russell couldn't beat Harry, and he'd come inside and say, 'Mom, mom, Harry's doing such and such,' and I'd say 'Russell if you can't handle it, then maybe you need to stay inside,'" she recalls. "He'd pout, 'No, no, no, I'm going back out there.' I think his brother really helped him to be tough because Harry wouldn't just let him win."

While Russell lived for sports, mom and dad wanted to make sure he took school seriously too.

"I was the math/science support. My husband was the English and history support person and we just made sure they got their school work done."

Did Russell like school?

"He liked the socialization part," she says with a slight hesitation.

Tammy says around seventh grade he began to "leverage his friends" to improve his academics.

He knew there were other boys in his class who had better grades and seemed "smarter." He also knew he was a very good athlete. Russell helped them by practicing whatever sport they were trying to improve their skills in, while they assisted him in developing better study habits and understanding his homework.

When Wilson was in high school, something happened that prepared him for his rookie year as a Seahawk.

"He was in 10th grade and there was an 11th grader who was also going for quarterback who was 6'5" and what the coach decided to do that year was have a competition, just like Coach Carroll did, and let their play on the field make the decision about starting quarterback," says Wilson's mom.

Russell won then, and of course he won the quarterback battle with Matt Flynn to start for the Seahawks this season, even to his mom's surprise.

"I always knew he would get a start as a quarterback, but I have to be honest and say I never dreamed it would be this year," she says. "I never dreamed how well the team would do."

The biggest influences in Wilson's life - his faith and his father.

"When he's in trouble or doesn't know what to do, he'll read his Bible," Tammy says. "I always will say to him Russell, this is something you need to talk to the Lord about and you need to pray about and you need to be willing to listen to what he tells you."

Wilson's father, Harrison Wilson III, attended Dartmouth and became a lawyer. He was also athletic and went to training camp as a receiver with the San Diego Chargers in 1980.

Although he died in 2010, Tammy says her husband is responsible for Wilson's work ethic and discipline.

He would often prepare his sons, not only for sports, but for how they would talk about sports as professional athletes. Russell and his brother Harry even had to practice what they'd say if they someday won the Super Bowl.

"My husband always told the boys if there's any kind of business situation, wear a suit and wear a tie," she says. "That's why Russell is very adamant about taking a shower and being well groomed after a game before he does his press conference."

Tammy doesn't know what Russell's Super Bowl speech was as a teenager, but she thinks we'll all find out this year.

"Of course he'll be in the Super Bowl," she laughs, "I definitely think so."

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (98)


  • Add A Comment

  • sportsguru wrote...
    Nonething like turning a sports thread
    January 12, 2013 12:14 pm

    Into a political pissing match, I guess if you won't listen at them on a political thread, they are going to make you listen to them on the sports thread,lol. I am willing to bet they don't even like sports in general and hold contempt of athletes such as Russel Wilson for Parlaying there gifts into being SOMEONE that people will want to emulate instead of THEM, there only shot at being somebody is on this thread.

    As they say, if the mass doesn't want to hear what you have to say, you go to were they are congregating and make them listen to your dribble,lol.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Come on sporty, let's stay on topic, huh?
    January 12, 2013 12:35 pm
    the topic is not about some imaginary "they" who you are feuding with in your mind, and the topic isn't about you. It's about Russell Wison's Christian faith and conservative values. So what do you think??? Think he's a "cornball brother"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Pauly
    January 12, 2013 12:48 pm
    As I indicated in my original post, I am not really interested in your political dribble. Now if you want to talk sports, I will be happy to engage you, I will even instruct you on what FOOTBALL is and what the shape of the ball is and why. Holla
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    maybe you should read the story
    January 12, 2013 12:57 pm
    before commenting....then if you don't like the topic, see if you can convince the News Chick to let you turn it into the Sportsguru blog....or maybe you could just go out and start your own sports blog.

    Oh, that's right, I forgot, you are an entitled brother, not a cornball brother.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    I did enjoy the story
    January 12, 2013 1:07 pm

    I even enjoyed the comments on the story prior to you and your lapdog showing up to the rescue. I do have a blog already and it's not called anything associated with my name on this blog,lol.

    Absolutely, I am a entitled brother, I am entitled to LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IN MY LIFE.

    I am sure that's what RGIII and RWI is also entitled too. Not sure what a cornball brother is, but I am sure you can tell me what one is with your extensive knowledge of us brothers, lol.

    Please advise

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ sportsguru
    January 12, 2013 1:16 pm
    Pretty sure he was talking about Rob Parker of ESPN and his comments about RG3 not being in lock step with the stereo-typical black athlete.

    But then again, I could be right...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    soo purletiv
    January 12, 2013 1:18 pm
    So what is a stereo-typical athlete to you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    I mean
    January 12, 2013 1:23 pm
    A stereo-typical BLACK athlete. Can't forget that part.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    yes , I was referring to ESPN's Rob Parker
    January 12, 2013 1:33 pm
    using the term "cornball brother". I had never heard the term before. Urban Dictionary says:

    Cornball Brother

    A classy, intelligent African-American athlete. The kind of guy who dominates his enemies and doesn't fall in line with the opinion of douchbags--a freethinker and warrior. Dammm, that RG3 is a Cornball Brother. What a phenom of a dude.

    a. An African American male who chooses not to follow the stereotype. This includes, but is not limited to, being educated, well spoken, a role model, a leader, selfless, an upstanding member of the community and above all - humble.

    b. life choices include marrying white women, being republican, and not being "down with the cause".

    c. a rare breed of African American males who should be praised, not chastised by their own race.

    d. a term where MLK would be rolling over his grave for

    1. Dat RG3 got himself a becky. He a cornball brother (brotha) - na'mean?

    2. Dat cornball brother (bruva) talk like he white. A black person who acts white, is possibly Republican, marries white women, and graduates from college with Honors. This person is not down with the black cause of ebonics and the hatred that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson often spew.

    Robert Griffin III is a smart, educated man, and he likes white chicks, what an a55hole cornball brother! "He's not one of us", says the moronic sports anaylist Rob Parker from ESPN(a Disney Network).

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ sportsguru
    January 12, 2013 1:59 pm
    Do a Bing search for "cornball brother", the term Rob Parker used in reference to RG3.

    The stereo-typical part in my comment were not my words, but part of the definition. Sorry for the confusion.

    Did you really forget the whole suspension or firing of Parker a month or so ago? It was in the news, even on this site.

    Go here:

    http://mynorthwest.com/813/2153083/Is-he-black-enough

    You even commented on that story...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Umm, Soo
    January 12, 2013 2:21 pm

    That thread was about is he black enough, had nothing to do with Robert Wilson's family and faith as this article is talking about. The fact that Paul had to use the Urban dictionary tells me he doesn't know what a "cornball brother" means as well.

    As I told Paul originally, I am not interested in neither of you or Pauls political, racial dribble. This story is about Russel Wilson, not about Rob Parker, Paul Kersey and if Russel Wilson's is a cornball republican brother,lol.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Ok..so if you wanna talk sports sporty
    January 12, 2013 2:24 pm
    nobody else is around anyway...21-21 Broncos-Ravens at the half...good game so far.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Now we are talking
    January 12, 2013 2:40 pm
    Yes, great catch on the last touchdown and a lot of gut's by flacco to even throw that ball because the corner had him covered up, took a superior athletic play to make that catch and score a touchdown. We can argue about politics and skin color on another thread. Peace
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Nahhh!
    January 12, 2013 2:45 pm
    Actually Bailey has been out of step the whole game. Getting his axx handed to him thus far!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    This is like the Ice Bowl
    January 12, 2013 3:09 pm
    without the snow.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    so who you takin'?
    January 12, 2013 2:29 pm
    SF-GB?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    My head
    January 12, 2013 2:40 pm

    Say's Green Bay, SF has been giving up point's lately and teams are starting to figure out that Quarterback that they have been using. If Green Bay can stop the run of SF, they have a good chance to win the game.

    My heart want's S.F. to win and Seattle take care of the ATL so we can see a rematch of Seahawks - 40Whiner's in the championship game to see who goes to the SUPERBOWL.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    i'm taking GB too
    January 12, 2013 3:06 pm
    but hoping for SF. If the Hawks play GB, there will be that whole rematch thing about the bad call with the sub-refs.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Paul Kersey
    January 12, 2013 3:23 pm
    Which bad call?

    There were so many that led to Green Bay's only touchdown.

    Seahawks's touch down was rightly called, according to the rules.

    However, if the refs didn't blow so many calls in favor of Green Bay, the last "controversial" call would have never mattered...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Umm, spo
    January 12, 2013 2:38 pm
    You asked a question and I answered it!

    What political or racial dribble did I actually spout that you are not interested in? I mentioned neither!

    You asked some questions and I answered them.

    Anyway, glad I could help. And you're welcome...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ sportsguru
    January 12, 2013 6:14 pm
    an aside: Who exactly is Robert Wilson?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    soo purletiv
    January 12, 2013 7:04 pm

    Just can't let it go can you,lol. I am sure you will let me know who he is ALL KNOWING ONE.

    Going over this dead thread with a fine tooth comb just looking for something,ha,ha,. Oh boy,lol.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ sportsguru
    January 12, 2013 7:29 pm
    Still waiting for a legitimate response!

    You stated: "I am not interested in neither of you or Pauls political, racial dribble."

    I responded: "What political or racial dribble did I actually spout that you are not interested in? I mentioned neither!"

    You made the accusation, I just want a legitimate response...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    soo purletiv
    January 12, 2013 7:45 pm

    I don't know soo purletiv, If your asking people to look at a post I commented on about "IS HE BLACK ENOUGH" on a thread about "faith and family", I think that meets the requirement of racial dribble on a thread not about RACE.

    Since this whole thread was hijacked for a lot of poster who wanted to discuss FAITH AND FAMILY of Russel Wilson due to you and a couple of other individual who felt the need to talk about his race and being a republican which by the way is a POLITICAL PARTY, I think that also meets the requirement.

    I am surprised someone with a brain as large as yours are unable to see that?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ sportsguru
    January 12, 2013 7:59 pm
    Dude, are you drunk?

    I only mentioned the "is he black enough" post in reference to your question. You asked ME a question and I answered it.

    You stated, and I responded on THIS THREAD that "I am not interested in neither of you or Pauls political, racial dribble."

    I responded by asking: "What political or racial dribble did I actually spout that you are not interested in? I mentioned neither!"

    It is not that complicated. Just answer the question!

    What political or racial dribble did I actually spout that you are not interested in?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    soo purletiv
    January 12, 2013 8:46 pm

    Apparently, your doing the late night sipping. Please point to where I asked you SPECIFICALLY a question,lol? I already have answered the question, you just don't like my answer. Not much I can do about that soo purletiv. Now go spike your political football and kick your racial politics somewhere else please.

    Oh, I see you brought a friend with you to this thread. What are yall doing, working in shifts?

    Me and Paul was able to let the BS go until another day, why can't you let it go? I am sure Linda is disappointed in the hijacking of her human interest story.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    sportsguru wrote... Nonething
    January 12, 2013 7:55 pm
    Ah...that public school edumacation....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    sputsguru wrote: A stereo-typical BLACK athlete. Can't forget that pa
    January 12, 2013 7:57 pm
    Good liberal. You are not ashamed to be a racist; you'll just deny being one.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Go Hawks
    January 12, 2013 8:00 pm
    In just a few hours it will be go time. If you ever need inspiration take a look at Russell's twitter feed.Be like Russell.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Since this is a thread about faith....
    January 12, 2013 8:43 pm
    are any of you religious people praying to God for a Seahawk win?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Spritual
    January 12, 2013 11:08 pm
    I do not think God cares much about a team winning , God is more focused on his precious children.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    And one of his most precious
    January 13, 2013 6:05 am
    Is also Russell Wilson. (Becauses he's making people have this conversation) Go Hawks!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    "God is more focused on his precious children".
    January 13, 2013 6:15 am
    Especially His starving children in Africa.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    God@Forrest
    January 13, 2013 11:14 am
    Forrest is going to blame God for Africa?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }