Russell Wilson Wins NFL Walter Payton Man Of The Year, Has MVP-Caliber Season, Now Reports Are Out That Teams Are Asking To Trade For Him
When the Super Bowl ended and the Bucs celebrated, the off-season officially was underway. That means the door opened up for trade and free agent chatter (which many times, that’s all it turns into is ‘all talk’) throughout the sports media world.
One of the conversations that picked up was regarding seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.
Wilson was recently named the NFL’s 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year for the example he sets both on the field and off the field, including his involvement with the community and giving back.
“The Walter Payton Man of the Year award, to me, it represents excellence not just on the field, but more importantly off the field,” Wilson said in a Seahawks video. “I think that in life, we’re granted and given the opporutnity to have an impact. I think Walter Payton was one of the greatest examples of what he was able to do not just on the field but more importantly off the field, to give back and to serve and to love and to care. My dad’s in Heaven right now and I’m sure he’s smiling I was one of his favorite athletes of all time.”
Wilson went on to say how much of a blessing this award is.
“For me, I think it’s a blessing because I’ve been able to be around so many amazing young kids, so many amazing people…I think, to be able to give back, the reality is that much is given much is required,” Wilson said. “To be even mentioned with a name like Walter Payton is one of the greatest blessings I could ever have and one of the greatest honors ever.”
2020 was one of the most difficult years for so many people.
Wilson and his wife, Ciara, decided to do something about it to help those in need. They partnered with Meals on Wheels, starting a campaign called Meals Up, helping get 50 million meals to Feeding America. They also worked with United Way in helping people get to food banks and grocery stores.
Wilson and Ciara also funded a charter school, the Why Not You Academy, hoping to break barriers and give kids opportunities.
And with social injustice topics being placed at the forefront of the national discussion in 2020, Russell and Ciara had billboards throughout the country in major cities that read “Black Lives Matter. Love Russell & Ciara”.
Wilson also wore customized cleats for his for My Cause My Cleats game, honoring the lives of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, along with Herbert Hightower Jr. and Charleena Lyles according to South Seattle Emerald.
Russell and Ciara also patterned with I Am A Voter, encouraging people to get out and vote.
That’s off the field. On the field, Wilson was in the MVP discussion in 2020. Wilson threw for 4,212 yards, 40 touchdowns, at an almost 69% completion rat, leading his team to a 12-4 record.
Wilson’s played his whole career in Seattle since his rookie season in 2012. The quarterback has played in every game and started every game since. Russell has led his team to at least ten wins in eight of his nine seasons (the other season was nine wins). Talk about consistency, durability, and knowing how to win.
You can’t forget about the Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII win, where Wilson led the team to a big win over the Broncos.
Amidst all the success, there’s recently been some chatter regarding teams reaching out to see if the Seahawks would be willing to trade their quarterback.
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora: “From what I am hearing, some enterprising executives are already sniffing around on Wilson and trying to move the meter”.
As of February 11, “More teams have reached out about Russell Wilson, but the (Seahawks) have shown no inclination to trade their star QB, whose media tour continues” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“Well, I’m not sure if I’m available or not that’s a Seahawks question…at the end of the day you want to win,” Wilson said on The Dan Patrick Show. “You play this game every day to wake up to win. You play this game every day to be the best in the world. You know what, I hate I hate sitting watching other guys play the game, there’s nothing worse…I’m watching this game (the Super Bowl), like, wishing I was in there playing…ultimately you watch the games and you want to do everything you can to be there. That’s why we play this game.”
“You focus on what you can control every day”: Russell Wilson on The Dan Patrick Show
“I think that the reality of professional sports is things happen, things change,” Wilson said on The Dan Patrick Show. “I’m not sure how long I’ll play in Seattle. Hopefully it was going to be forever but things change, obviously, along the way and I think that you focus on what you can control every day and try to be the best version of yourself, and ultimately try to win championships…that’s why I play this game.”
Amidst the chatter and sports talk surrounding this, seemingly Russell’s not bothered. He’s living his best life. And preparing for his 10th year in the NFL no matter what happens.
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