Vintage Russell
There he sat this afternoon, on ESPN no less, answering question after question about his decision to play football for the University of Wisconsin.
Russell Wilson, Collegiate Class of 2007, fielded each query from the College Football Live crew with uncommon humility, sincerity, and maturity.
As accomplished as he was as a three-sport standout in high school, the linchpin of N.C. State’s football team, and a fourth-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, there was absolutely no braggadocio, no smack-talking, no self-promotion.
That trademark smile frequently crossed his face.
In other words, it was vintage Russell.
Russell Wilson, Collegiate Class of 2007, fielded each query from the College Football Live crew with uncommon humility, sincerity, and maturity.
As accomplished as he was as a three-sport standout in high school, the linchpin of N.C. State’s football team, and a fourth-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, there was absolutely no braggadocio, no smack-talking, no self-promotion.
That trademark smile frequently crossed his face.
In other words, it was vintage Russell.
At Collegiate, Wilson was The Man.
Twice, he was Richmond Times-Dispatch male athlete of the year and football player of the year, both unmatched feats.
He earned a host of All-Metro, All-State, All-Prep League, and team honors and was featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated (December 18, 2006).
He rang up otherworldly stats on the football field where he led the Cougars to a 31-2 record, three state, and two league titles. He lettered in baseball for five years and for three winters made solid contributions to the basketball team as its starting point guard.
He was as well-respected for his off-the-field demeanor as for his sportsmanship and accomplishments between the lines.
After a redshirt fall, Wilson became the toast of Raleigh, passing for 8,545 yards and 76 touchdowns in three years, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, and leading the Wolfpack to two bowl appearances.
Baseball beckoned, however, and he played two seasons for the Pack and one-plus in the lower levels of the Rockies organization.
Uncertain of his plans and needing to move on, State football coach Tom O’Brien recently released him to explore his options, and after much consideration the 5-11, 200-pound 22-year-old cast his lot with the Badgers.
By all accounts, Wilson joins a team that is already well-stocked but in search of a strong quarterback. Winning the Big Ten and contending for a national championship are realistic goals.
“It’s a great situation for me,” he told the national audience. “I’m excited about the tradition. I’m excited to join the family and meet my teammates.
“The Lord works things out in miraculous ways. I’m truly blessed.”
Asked about the transition, Wilson responded with understated confidence.
“I just take one day at a time,” he explained. “It’s important that I get to know my teammates on the field and off the field, really work hard every single day to be the best I can be, and be an additional leader.”
Asked about assurances that the quarterback job was his, he said, “I never believe in that. Whether it’s little league or big time college football or the NFL or Major League Baseball, it’s about competing and being the best every single day.”
Asked how his mindset might change with a stronger supporting cast, he responded, “I don’t think anything changes. The main thing is to take it one play at a time, stay focused on the now, the task at hand.”
Watching Wilson on television, I was taken back to a day in June 2007 when we sat down in the Athletic Center office for one final interview.
He was wearing sweat-soaked workout clothes, not a spiffy suit and tie.
The questions were different, of course, but his answers were uncannily similar.
He talked of embracing the challenges before him, of establishing himself as a leader, of taking nothing for granted, of working diligently to help his team achieve success, of using his God-given talent to be the best.
“That’s Russell,” said Charlie McFall, Collegiate’s co-athletic director who served as head football coach during Wilson’s tenure.
“He’s so genuine. He knows this won’t be easy, but he’s been in pressure situations before and always responds well.
“He’ll have to prove himself again, but he always does the old fashioned way: by earning it.”
-- Weldon Bradshaw
(Please check out Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema's interview about Wilson on www.uwbadgers.com).
Back
Twice, he was Richmond Times-Dispatch male athlete of the year and football player of the year, both unmatched feats.
He earned a host of All-Metro, All-State, All-Prep League, and team honors and was featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated (December 18, 2006).
He rang up otherworldly stats on the football field where he led the Cougars to a 31-2 record, three state, and two league titles. He lettered in baseball for five years and for three winters made solid contributions to the basketball team as its starting point guard.
He was as well-respected for his off-the-field demeanor as for his sportsmanship and accomplishments between the lines.
After a redshirt fall, Wilson became the toast of Raleigh, passing for 8,545 yards and 76 touchdowns in three years, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, and leading the Wolfpack to two bowl appearances.
Baseball beckoned, however, and he played two seasons for the Pack and one-plus in the lower levels of the Rockies organization.
Uncertain of his plans and needing to move on, State football coach Tom O’Brien recently released him to explore his options, and after much consideration the 5-11, 200-pound 22-year-old cast his lot with the Badgers.
By all accounts, Wilson joins a team that is already well-stocked but in search of a strong quarterback. Winning the Big Ten and contending for a national championship are realistic goals.
“It’s a great situation for me,” he told the national audience. “I’m excited about the tradition. I’m excited to join the family and meet my teammates.
“The Lord works things out in miraculous ways. I’m truly blessed.”
Asked about the transition, Wilson responded with understated confidence.
“I just take one day at a time,” he explained. “It’s important that I get to know my teammates on the field and off the field, really work hard every single day to be the best I can be, and be an additional leader.”
Asked about assurances that the quarterback job was his, he said, “I never believe in that. Whether it’s little league or big time college football or the NFL or Major League Baseball, it’s about competing and being the best every single day.”
Asked how his mindset might change with a stronger supporting cast, he responded, “I don’t think anything changes. The main thing is to take it one play at a time, stay focused on the now, the task at hand.”
Watching Wilson on television, I was taken back to a day in June 2007 when we sat down in the Athletic Center office for one final interview.
He was wearing sweat-soaked workout clothes, not a spiffy suit and tie.
The questions were different, of course, but his answers were uncannily similar.
He talked of embracing the challenges before him, of establishing himself as a leader, of taking nothing for granted, of working diligently to help his team achieve success, of using his God-given talent to be the best.
“That’s Russell,” said Charlie McFall, Collegiate’s co-athletic director who served as head football coach during Wilson’s tenure.
“He’s so genuine. He knows this won’t be easy, but he’s been in pressure situations before and always responds well.
“He’ll have to prove himself again, but he always does the old fashioned way: by earning it.”
-- Weldon Bradshaw
(Please check out Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema's interview about Wilson on www.uwbadgers.com).
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