Russell Wilson’s much-anticipated return to Raleigh went off without a hitch. For the first time since leading his Seattle Seahawks to the NFC Championship game, Wilson was back in the town he called home for four years.
Wilson, who was in Raleigh June 25-26 to direct the Russell Wilson Passing Academy camp, is one of the most celebrated athletes in N.C. State history. He amassed more 8,500 passing yards, 93 total touchdowns and 682 completions throughout his three years as a starter for the Wolfpack. Wilson’s passer rating of 135.47 ranks second in school history.
But those are just statistics. They can never quantify the immeasurable intangibles Wilson brought to his teams in both Raleigh and Seattle. Drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft, the rookie’s hard work and leadership earned the trust of his coaches and the respect of his teammates.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, N.C. State’s defensive coordinator from 1980 to ‘82, promoted Wilson to starting quarterback during last preseason. Wilson led the team to an 11-5 record, Seattle’s first winning season since 2007, and a playoff victory over the Washington Redskins.
Despite his accomplishments, some were worried that Wilson’s return to Raleigh would be uncomfortable after he transferred from N.C. State after his junior year for the greener football pastures of Madison, Wis.
“No, I was never worried,” Wilson said. “I had great relationships with people here, great friends that I had built through my teammates and everything. There’s amazing fans here too as well, so just to be around here again is a good experience for me.”
One of the highlights of Wilson’s exceptional rookie season in the NFL came during Monday Night Football. The game featured player introductions of themselves and the colleges they attended, and Wilson’s creative introduction, “A whole ‘Pack of Badgers,” confirmed to State fans that he had not forgotten his time in Raleigh. “I tried to find a way [to mention both schools],” Wilson said. “I love N.C. State and I love Wisconsin. Both schools are really special. I met great people at both schools, both schools have tremendous alumni, and I just want to be a part of both.”
Since arriving in Raleigh, the former Wolfpack star has caught up with new head coach Dave Doeren, whom Wilson met when Wisconsin played against Doeren’s Northern Illinois Huskies in September of 2011.
“The coach here, Coach D., he’s an awesome coach,” Wilson said. “Just to be around him, he’s a great family man, it seems like, and he’s young. He’s got a young staff, and they’re doing really well in recruiting supposedly.”
“I just got a great vibe from him and their whole staff. Just being around their new staff, they’re a young, ambitious staff that really has a drive, something special that you can feel it.”
Football isn’t the only sport that Wilson played while on campus in Raleigh. A two-sport athlete, he also played baseball under head coach Elliot Avent and was drafted in the fourth round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 MLB Draft.
The former outfielder and pitcher was among the Wolfpack faithful hanging on every pitch during State’s games in Omaha.
“I was rooting for them so hard,” Wilson said. “They’ve done a tremendous job to get to Omaha, and to play the way they did throughout the whole year is tremendous.”
“[Avent is] such a great coach, and he brings so much energy, and he’s so passionate about baseball and his team.”
The Russell Wilson Passing Academy is a two-day football camp for 9-to-17-year- olds to develop their football and leadership skills. Wilson’s experience in overcoming adversity, from the death of his father in June 2010 to being overlooked in the NFL Draft because of his size, makes him the ideal person for his campers to look to for advice.
“Growing up, I’ve had some really good situations in my life, some decent ones and not-so-good ones,” Wilson said. “Just to be around [kids], to share moments with them, to share my experience with them–that’s my biggest goal. And let them know to dream in something greater.”
After coming so close to reaching the Super Bowl in his rookie season, the Richmond, Va. native is determined to achieve more in his second season at the helm in Seattle.
“I think that you continue to visualize success, continue to believe in success and continue to work at success,” Wilson said. “Those things you have to do to be successful. I have those and I’m ready for it. I’ll do whatever it takes, and we’ll see how far I can take it.”
