Early Life and Education of Russell Wilson: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Russell Wilson. A timeline of key moments.

Russell Wilson is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the New York Giants. Best known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks, he led the team to their first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLVIII and earned nine Pro Bowl selections. Widely considered one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, Wilson's career also includes a stint as a professional baseball player.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1980: Father's Football Career

In 1980, Russell Wilson's father played football and baseball at Dartmouth and was a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers preseason squad.

November 29, 1988: Russell Wilson's Birth

On November 29, 1988, Russell Carrington Wilson was born. He is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).

Others born on this day/year

2005: High School Achievements

In 2005, as a junior at Collegiate School, Russell Wilson threw for 3,287 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns and rushed for 634 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He was named an all-district, all-region, and all-state player and Richmond Times-Dispatch Player of the Year.

July 23, 2006: Commitment to North Carolina State University

On July 23, 2006, Russell Wilson committed to North Carolina State University and also received a football scholarship offer from Duke University.

2007: Redshirt Season at NC State

In 2007, Russell Wilson redshirted during the season at NC State.

2008: Starting Quarterback at NC State

In 2008, Russell Wilson became the starting quarterback at NC State, leading the team to a 4-3 record and a four-game winning streak.

2008: College Football and Baseball at NC State

In 2008, Russell Wilson played both college football and baseball for the NC State Wolfpack.

2008: Decision to Attend College

In a 2008 interview, Russell Wilson explained his decision to attend college instead of entering the MLB draft, emphasizing the importance of a college education.

May 2010: Graduation from NC State

In May 2010, Russell Wilson graduated from NC State with a BA in communication.

June 9, 2010: Death of Wilson's Father

On June 9, 2010, Russell Wilson's father died at age 55 due to complications from diabetes, the day after Wilson was drafted by the Rockies.

2010: Continued College and Minor League Career

In 2010, Russell Wilson continued playing college football and baseball for NC State. He also played minor league baseball for the Tri-City Dust Devils.

June 27, 2011: Commitment to Wisconsin

On June 27, 2011, Russell Wilson committed to Wisconsin for the 2011 season.

2011: Transfer to Wisconsin and Minor League Baseball

In 2011, Russell Wilson transferred to the Wisconsin Badgers for college football and played minor league baseball for the Asheville Tourists.

January 2012: Married Ashton Meem

In January 2012, Russell Wilson married Ashton Meem.

November 10, 2012: Record broken

On November 10, 2012, the consecutive pass attempts record that Russell Wilson held was broken by Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron.

2012: Proceeds from camp went to Charles Ray III Diabetes Association

In 2012, proceeds from Russell Wilson's youth football camp went to the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association, for which Wilson is the National Ambassador.

2013: Partnered with Russell Investments for "Invested with Russell" program

In 2013, Russell Wilson partnered with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, which donated $3,000 to Wilson's charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.

2013: Mentioned in Eminem song

In 2013, Russell Wilson was mentioned by Rapper Eminem in his song, "The Monster".

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April 2014: Divorced Ashton Meem

In April 2014, Russell Wilson divorced Ashton Meem.

2014: Became part-owner and endorser of Eat the Ball

In 2014, Russell Wilson became part-owner and endorser of Eat the Ball, a European bread company.

2014: Partnered with Russell Investments for "Invested with Russell" program

In 2014, Russell Wilson partnered with Russell Investments for its "Invested with Russell" program, which donated $3,000 to Wilson's charitable foundation for every touchdown he scored.

2015: Appeared in Entourage

In 2015, Russell Wilson appeared in the film Entourage.

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2015: Endorsed Luvo and Reliant Recovery Water

In 2015, Russell Wilson began endorsing Luvo, a frozen food company, and Reliant Recovery Water.

2015: Began dating Ciara

In early 2015, Russell Wilson began dating American R&B singer Ciara.

February 29, 2016: Launched Good Man Brand clothing line

On February 29, 2016, Russell Wilson launched Good Man Brand, a clothing line he co-founded.

March 11, 2016: Engagement to Ciara

On March 11, 2016, Russell Wilson and Ciara announced their engagement.

July 6, 2016: Married Ciara

On July 6, 2016, Russell Wilson married Ciara at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England.

August 2016: Partnered with Juice Press

In August 2016, Russell Wilson partnered with Juice Press to open the company's first Seattle franchise.

August 2016: Why Not You Foundation raised $1,060,005

In August 2016, Russell Wilson's Why Not You Foundation raised $1,060,005 for the Seattle Children's Hospital's Strong Against Cancer initiative.

November 14, 2016: Joined investment group for Seattle sports arena

On November 14, 2016, Russell Wilson announced he had joined an investment group to bring a new sports arena to Seattle's SoDo neighborhood for potential NBA and NHL teams.

2016: Hosted Kids' Choice Sports

In 2016, Russell Wilson hosted the Kids' Choice Sports on Nickelodeon.

2016: Keynote speaker at University of Wisconsin-Madison

In 2016, Russell Wilson was the keynote speaker for the commencement address at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

April 28, 2017: Birth of elder daughter

On April 28, 2017, Russell Wilson and Ciara's elder daughter was born.

September 8, 2017: TraceMe Launched

On September 8, 2017, TraceMe launched its public beta and announced $9 million in Series A funding with investors including Jeff Bezos' Bezos Expeditions, Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai, and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley.

November 20, 2017: Invested in VICIS

On November 20, 2017, football helmet manufacturer VICIS announced a $7 million investment round which included Russell Wilson as an investor.

2017: Hosted Kids' Choice Sports

In 2017, Russell Wilson hosted the Kids' Choice Sports on Nickelodeon.

June 2018: Effort to bring MLB to Portland

In June 2018, Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara announced they were joining an effort to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Portland, Oregon.

July 2018: Investor and endorser for Molecule

In July 2018, Russell Wilson became an investor and endorser for Molecule, a mattress company.

August 2019: Joined ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC

In August 2019, Russell Wilson and Ciara joined the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC. The Sounders later won the 2019 MLS Cup.

January 2020: Named Chairman of NFL FLAG

In January 2020, Russell Wilson was named Chairman of NFL FLAG. The global partnership will focus on strengthening NFL FLAG domestically and expanding the league internationally.

March 2020: Donated one million meals with Food Lifeline

In March 2020, Russell Wilson and Ciara partnered with Food Lifeline to donate one million meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 23, 2020: Birth of son

On July 23, 2020, Russell Wilson and Ciara's son was born.

September 2021: Announced writing children's book Why Not You?

In September 2021, Russell Wilson and Ciara announced that they were writing a children's book called Why Not You? to help kids pursue their dreams.

Why Not You?

Check it on Amazon

2021: Keynote speaker at North Carolina State University

In 2021, Russell Wilson was the keynote speaker for the commencement address at North Carolina State University.

March 1, 2022: Released children's book Why Not You?

On March 1, 2022, Russell Wilson and Ciara's children's book Why Not You?, co-written with JaNay Brown-Wood and published by Random House, was released and became a New York Times bestseller.

Why Not You?

Check it on Amazon

April 2022: Sold home in Bellevue, Washington

In April 2022, Russell Wilson and Ciara sold their home in Bellevue, Washington, for $36 million.

May 2022: Received Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award

In May 2022, Russell Wilson and Ciara received the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award for their philanthropic and humanitarian contributions to Seattle.