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- Russell Wilson selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Seattle Seahawks, overcoming size doubts at 5-foot-11.
- Seattle Seahawks transformed into a perennial contender, he led the franchise to its first Super Bowl title in 2013.
- Career totals: 46,966 passing yards and 353 touchdowns, underscoring sustained production and playmaking.
- Earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and built a reputation for extending plays and delivering in critical moments.
- Featured charitable visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital and appeared on the cover of ESSENCE, discussing family, faith, and fatherhood.
Russell Wilson is stepping away from professional football. The longtime NFL quarterback announced Wednesday that he is retiring after 14 seasons and will begin a career as an analyst for CBS Sports. Wilson shared the news in a video posted to social media, confirming reports from earlier this week that he was joining The NFL Today as part of the network’s pregame coverage.
“As I enter this next chapter with CBS Sports and The NFL Today, I’m so blessed to continue doing what I love most — being around the greatest game in the world,” Wilson said.
Wilson leaves the game as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of his generation. Selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he quickly exceeded expectations. Standing 5-foot-11, Wilson entered the league facing doubts about whether a quarterback of his size could succeed at the highest level. Those questions faded quickly as he established himself as one of the NFL’s premier players.
During his decade in Seattle, Wilson helped transform the Seahawks into a perennial contender and led the franchise to its first Super Bowl title during the 2013 season. He earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and built a reputation for extending plays and delivering in critical moments. Following his departure from Seattle, Wilson spent two seasons with the Denver Broncos before later stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
Over the course of his career, Wilson threw for 46,966 yards and 353 touchdowns. His résumé includes several notable achievements, including becoming one of only a handful of quarterbacks to earn Pro Bowl honors 10 times. He also remains the shortest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
In his retirement message, Wilson reflected on the people who helped him reach the NFL, and also featured highlights from Wilson’s playing career alongside footage of his charitable work, including visits with patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Near the end, he expressed appreciation for his family, friends, teammates, and wife, Ciara, who has frequently supported him throughout his career both publicly and privately.
Additionally, Wilson’s connection to ESSENCE’s readers extends beyond football. In 2024, he appeared on the cover of the magazine’s Men’s Issue, where he discussed family, faith, fatherhood, and life beyond the game.
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