Russell Wilson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Russell Wilson. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

2004: Roethlisberger's Rookie Record

In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger set a rookie record with a passer rating of 98.1, which was later surpassed by Russell Wilson in 2012.

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.

2008: PapaJohns.com Bowl and ACC Recognition

In 2008, Russell Wilson played in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, suffering a knee sprain. He was named first-team All-ACC quarterback, the first time in conference history a freshman quarterback was named to the first team.

2009: Record-Breaking Pass Streak and All-ACC Honorable Mention

In 2009, Russell Wilson broke the NCAA record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception and was named honorable mention All-ACC, finishing the season with 3,027 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.

December 2011: Big Ten Championship and All-American Honors

In December 2011, Russell Wilson led the Wisconsin Badgers to a Big Ten Championship victory and was named the game's MVP. He was also named a third team All-American and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.

2011: Tied Eli Manning for Fourth Quarter Touchdowns

In 2017, Wilson tied Eli Manning's 2011 record for most fourth-quarter touchdowns in a single season with 15.

August 26, 2012: Named Starting Quarterback

On August 26, 2012, Russell Wilson was named the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, beating out Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson.

December 2012: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month

In December 2012, Russell Wilson was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month after leading the Seahawks to a 5-0 record and achieving a passer rating of 115.2.

2012: Record-Breaking Season

In 2012, Russell Wilson concluded the regular season ranking fourth in the NFL with a passer rating of 100.0. He surpassed Ben Roethlisberger's previous rookie record of 98.1 set in 2004. Wilson threw for 3,118 yards, tied Peyton Manning's rookie record of 26 touchdowns, and rushed for 489 yards with four touchdowns. His mobility led to comparisons with Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton.

2012: NFL Draft and Rookie Year

In 2012, Russell Wilson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the NFL Draft. He tied the rookie record for most passing touchdowns and was named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.

December 27, 2013: Second Pro Bowl Selection

On December 27, 2013, Wilson was named to his second Pro Bowl.

2013: Performance-Based Pay Bonus and NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2013, Wilson earned a $222,000 bonus through the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program and was ranked 51st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

2013: Performance-Based Pay Bonus

In 2013, Wilson earned a bonus of $169,141.73 through the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program.

2013: Pro Bowl alternate

In 2013, Wilson was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl. He filled in for Matt Ryan and completed eight of ten passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns, achieving a 147.1 rating.

January 19, 2014: NFC Championship Win

On January 19, 2014, Wilson and the Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, advancing to Super Bowl XLVIII.

October 6, 2014: Monday Night Football Rushing Record

On October 6, 2014, against the Washington Redskins, Wilson set a new Monday Night Football record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 122, also marking a single-game franchise record for a Seahawks quarterback.

2014: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2014, Wilson was ranked 20th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.

December 22, 2015: Third Pro Bowl Selection

On December 22, 2015, Wilson was named to his third Pro Bowl.

2015: Ranked 22nd in NFL Top 100 Players

In 2015, Wilson was ranked 22nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2016: Prescott's Passer Rating

In 2016, Dak Prescott achieved a passer rating of 104.9, surpassing the rookie record previously set by Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.

2016: Career-High Passing Yards

In 2016, Wilson recorded a career-high 4,219 passing yards, along with 21 passing touchdowns, 259 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. The team finished with a 10-5-1 record and won the NFC West. They defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round, but lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round.

2016: Pro Bowl Offensive MVP

In 2016, Wilson was drafted first overall by Team Irvin in the Pro Bowl draft. He threw eight completions on 12 attempts for 164 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions for a 149.3 rating, earning him the Pro Bowl offensive MVP award.

2016: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2016, Wilson was ranked 17th on the NFL Top 100 Players.

December 19, 2017: Fourth Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Wilson was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.

2017: Career milestone

In 2017, Russell Wilson set a career-high of 452 passing yards.

2017: Ranked 24th in NFL Top 100 Players

In 2017, Wilson was ranked 24th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players.

September 2018: Featured on Wheaties Box

In September 2018, Russell Wilson was announced as the next athlete to appear on the cover of the Wheaties cereal box.

2018: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2018, Wilson was ranked 11th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players.

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.

2019: MLS Cup Win

After Russell Wilson purchased his minority stake, the Seattle Sounders won MLS Cup 2019

2019: 2019 Season Performance and Recognition

In 2019, Russell Wilson finished the season with 4,110 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions, along with 75 carries for 342 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks had an 11-5 record, making the playoffs as the NFC's #5 seed. Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl and the AP All-Pro team.

2019: Pro Bowl Selection and NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2019, Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career as a replacement for Aaron Rodgers and was ranked 25th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

October 1, 2020: NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September)

On October 1, 2020, Russell Wilson was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for his performance in September.

2020: 30 Touchdowns in Four Consecutive Seasons

In 2020, Russell Wilson became the third quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.

2020: 2020 Season Performance and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

In 2020, Russell Wilson finished the season with 4,212 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. He broke his own franchise record for passing touchdowns in a single season. He was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on February 6 for his community service.

2020: Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

In 2020, Russell Wilson was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his philanthropy.

2020: Ranked 2nd in NFL Top 100 Players of 2020

In 2020, Russell Wilson was ranked 2nd on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking the highest ranking of his career.

2021: Ranked 12th on NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

In 2021, Russell Wilson was ranked 12th on the NFL Top 100 Players list, which was the third-highest ranking of his career.

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.

2022: Bart Starr Award and Sounders Achievements

In 2022, Russell Wilson received the Bart Starr Award and saw the Seattle Sounders FC, of which he is part owner, win the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.

2022: Ranked 61st on NFL Top 100 Players of 2022

In 2022, Russell Wilson was ranked 61st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2023: New Head Coach and Season Start

In 2023, Russell Wilson began the season with a new head coach, Sean Payton. He achieved a milestone against the Commanders, becoming the first player in NFL history to rush for 5,000 yards and pass for 40,000 in a career. However, he started with an 0-3 record for the first time in his career.

2025: Named to 2025 Pro Bowl and Playoff Appearance

In 2025, after helping the Steelers reach a 10-3 record, Russell Wilson was named to the 2025 Pro Bowl as a replacement, marking his tenth selection. The Steelers lost the Wild Card Round against the Baltimore Ravens.