Russell Wilson, newly acquired quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently graced the cover of ESSENCE magazine as their “Sexiest Man of the Moment” for their May/June issue.
In an extensive interview that accompanied the honor, Wilson shared insights into his illustrious NFL career, his faith, and his ventures into entrepreneurship.
Reflecting on his achievements, Wilson, who was let go by the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason, highlighted his significant impact on the landscape of African-American quarterbacks in the league. He pointed to his own success, including winning a Super Bowl and making consecutive appearances in the championship game, as a milestone that has encouraged the emergence of star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
Wilson acknowledged the evolving trend in the NFL, noting the increasing presence of African-American quarterbacks being drafted early and leading teams across the league. He expressed pride in contributing to breaking down barriers within the sport, attributing his opportunity to pave the way for others to the doors opened for him by predecessors.
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“For me to be able to go to back-to-back Super Bowls, and win one of them, I think opened up a lot of doors,” Wilson said to Essence. “Now you see guys like Patrick Mahomes who won it; it’s really just us so far, but there’s more to come.” The emergence of quarterbacks like Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud, to name a few, is indicative of a new era in football and a glimpse into what the sport is trending toward.
“What I love to see is guys getting drafted early, and that a lot of teams these days have Black quarterbacks playing for them,” Wilson says. “It’s all across the league, and it’s showing how the National Football League is starting to evolve, change and break down barriers. I think one of the biggest blessings of my career so far is that I’ve been fortunate to be able to open up doors for others, because of what others did for me.”
The magazine, which will be available on April 23rd, also touches on Wilson’s aspirations for another Super Bowl run, this time with the Steelers under the leadership of Coach Mike Tomlin, who has a distinguished track record in the NFL, including a Super Bowl win in 2008.
Wilson’s triumph in the Super Bowl spotlighted him as the second Black quarterback to win the NFL championship, further cementing his legacy.
With the Steelers’ offseason moves, including acquiring former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and releasing Kenny Pickett, Wilson sees this as a pivotal moment to prove his capabilities as a leading quarterback in the NFL.
Despite experiencing some challenges during his tenure with the Broncos, including fluctuating performances and being benched towards the end of last season, Wilson’s previous year’s stats of 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 15 games demonstrate his enduring skill on the field.
As he embarks on this new chapter with the Steelers, Wilson is determined to showcase his enduring talent and leadership in the league.
