Russell Wilson is just about one of the most humble people you could ever meet. He’s like Tim Tebow, but Wilson doesn’t look like he’s going back to baseball any time soon. At age 27 there is definitely more to come for the Seattle Seahawks quarterback. Not only does he have two Super Bowl appearances and a championship to his name, but he just earned another ring after tying the knot with Ciara.
With the Seahawks in the middle of training camp and only three days away from their preseason opener against the Chiefs, we had a chance to chat with Wilson about a recent commercial he shot with Bose for their QuietComfort35 headphones. Over the phone, the three-time Pro Bowler and Super XLVIII Champion talked about his unusual—at least for your average NFL player’s standards—taste in music, the future of the Seattle Seahawks, and how married life is treating him.
(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
So what is this Bose commercial looking like?
It’s gonna be a good commercial. I’m not giving away too much, I want people to see it first. Kinda can’t tell too much, but it was a great commercial. It’s so much fun shooting those commercials, especially with Bose. They’re very first class in everything they do, and I’m a big music person, as you know. I listen to tons of music, and we always have music playing around the house, Ciara and I, but also on the field, too. I have the wireless headphones in the locker room and the training room, and we listen to music when we’re watching film, all those things, so I’m constantly just listening to music. I think it can bring me a sense of peace and allows me to cancel out all the noise. I just like focusing on the things I need to focus on.
You have one song to listen to before kickoff, what’re you listening to?
That’s a great question. “I’m Gonna Be Ready” by Yolanda Adams. That’s probably my go-to song. Before a game, I’m always listening to gospel music. I’m just so grateful on game day. I don’t try to be all amped up. I try to be calm as can be and just grateful that I can play the game. It’s a special, special day, those days.
So you’re not listening to Drake, Eminem, or anyone like that before kickoff?
Nah, I’m chillin’ out.
The NFL said they’re going to teach referees to call questionable catches incomplete if they aren’t 100 percent sure. You’ve been a part of questionable catches, how do you feel about what the NFL is trying to do?
I think ultimately the NFL and all the players, we just want it to be called the right way, whatever that is. That’s the simplicity of it. It’s not that complicated. I think the biggest thing is, the referees, they always want to make the right call, and us as players, we always want them to make the right call as well.
Before a game, I’m always listening to gospel music. I’m just so grateful on game day. I don’t try to be all amped up.
In the last four years, you have faced a division rival in the playoffs. What’s it like to face a team in the division in the postseason?
Our division, in my opinion, is one of the hardest divisions, for sure, the NFC West. So many talented players, so many talented teams. When you go against the 49ers twice a year, you go against the Rams twice a year, you go against the Arizona Cardinals twice a year, that’s not an easy conference, but we try to...the ultimate goal for us is to go 1-0 every week and to block out all the noise and to focus on one game in a week. That’s a big part of my philosophy, and our team philosophy is just to go 1-0 every week and just try to win that one game and see what happens.
You were ranked 17th in the NFL Top 100. Where would you rank yourself, and what do you have to do to be ranked higher next year?
That’s not for me to worry about. All I care about is our team winning; that’s the only thing that matters. The rest will handle itself. That’s my only focus, man. All that stuff like I said, I just try to block out all that noise, ignore the noise, and like I said, winning a game, and a big part of that is kind of my regimen—how I get ready for the offseason, how I get ready for a game, and the focus you put into all the hard work that you put into everything you do, and Bose definitely plays a part of that; my music plays a major part of that.
What did you make of the Hall of Fame Game being canceled?
I think it was the right decision in terms of players safety. It always comes down to players’ safety.
There was the big blockbuster trade where you guys got Jimmy Graham last year. You guys were ranked low in tight end receptions, and Jimmy only had 48 catches in 11 games. How come his numbers went down?
Unfortunately, he didn’t get to play the whole season. Kinda holds him back, but we always wanna get better, and we always wanna do more. So we’re looking forward to him being back out there on the field. He’s gonna do a great job.
How much did Marshawn Lynch mean to this team and your play?
Marshawn’s a great football player. He’s always gonna be well respected across the league. Now, guys gotta step up, and we can’t wait. We have a great team, we have a lot of great players. I’m excited about the running back group that we have stepping in. Those guys are gonna do a great job, and we’re looking forward to having a great season.
Are you concerned the Legion of Boom won’t last much longer with more free agency talks and contracts coming up for them?
I think the Legion of Boom is going to be great once again. I’m excited about all the things that they’re gonna do this year. Our team, just in general, our offense and defense and special teams—you take it one day at a time.
Congratulations on the marriage, how is the married life?
It’s a blessing man, to find someone so special, so sweet. She’s one of the best people you can ever meet, one of the best moms you can ever meet. I’m just grateful for that.
Your celebrity has reached new heights. From third-round pick out of college to a couple Super Bowl appearances as the quarterback of one of the best teams in the league—so what is the craziest headline you have ever heard about yourself?
Awh man, I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff. I’m just grateful I get to play the game of football. I’m just grateful I get to take the God-given ability that God has given me and just spread it across to my teammates and for us to play together and try to hopefully win another Super Bowl, and that’s kind of my singular focus. So I’m just grateful, man. I’m grateful that God has given me that opportunity.
