My son played football with Russell in junior high and high school. He was a year ahead of Russell, but he says that the Russell Wilson you see is the genuine article. I watched Russell develop as a player, from about the 7th grade on, and I am not greatly surprised that he has become the star that he is. Pete Carroll made a very wise decision to go with him.
During their years together playing football, my son was not all that enamored with Russell, as Russell demanded hard work, and as a talented but unmotivated player, my son did not take kindly to that. That said, can you imagine the thrill of seeing your JV & Varsity teammate go to the Super Bowl in only his second year as a pro?
Russell did well academically, and his spiritual side is the real deal. I had the pleasure of getting to know his late father, Harrison, and it is pretty obvious why Russell is so well grounded. Harrison’s life’s story was every bit as compelling as Russell’s.
I taped every JV game the boys played. If he stays on the same track, maybe I can rent them to ESPN for a king’s ransom!
Your tapes may someday make it to Canton, Ohio.