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 an American football quarterback currently playing for the New York Giants. He is best known for his successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned nine Pro Bowl selections and led the team to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson is recognized as a prominent dual-threat quarterback, lauded for his ability to both pass and run effectively. Before his successful NFL career, he also played professional baseball.

Sections (4)

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

2004: Ben Roethlisberger's Rookie Record

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

2005: Named Player of the Year

In 2005, as a junior at Collegiate School, Russell Wilson threw for 3,287 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns. He was twice named the Richmond Times-Dispatch Player of the Year.

2009: Named to Pre-Season All-ACC Football Team

Prior to the 2009 season, Russell Wilson was named quarterback of the pre-season all-ACC football team on July 12.

December 2011: Wins MVP at Big Ten Championship

In December 2011, Russell Wilson was named the Grange-Griffin MVP after leading the Badgers to a 42-39 win over the Michigan State Spartans in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.

2011: Eli Manning's Touchdown Record

In 2011, Eli Manning set the record for the most fourth-quarter touchdowns in a single season, which Russell Wilson tied in 2017.

November 10, 2012: Record Broken by Colby Cameron

On November 10, 2012, Russell Wilson's record was broken by Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron

December 2012: Earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month

In December 2012, Russell Wilson earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors.

2012: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

In 2012, Russell Wilson concluded the regular season with the fourth-highest passer rating in the NFL at 100.0, surpassing Ben Roethlisberger's rookie record from 2004. He matched Peyton Manning's rookie record for touchdown passes with 26 and added 489 rushing yards with four touchdowns, drawing comparisons to Fran Tarkenton due to his mobility.

December 27, 2013: Second Pro Bowl Selection

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

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

At the end of the 2013 season, Russell Wilson received a $222,000 bonus through the NFL's Performance-Based Pay program. He was also ranked 51st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

2013: Performance-Based Pay Bonus

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

2013: Pro Bowl Alternate

In 2013, Russell Wilson was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl, filling in for Matt Ryan. During the Pro Bowl game on January 27, he completed eight of ten passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns, achieving a 147.1 rating.

January 19, 2014: NFC Championship Victory

On January 19, 2014, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship with a score of 23-17, advancing to Super Bowl XLVIII.

October 6, 2014: Monday Night Football Rushing Record

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

December 21, 2014: Career-High Passing Yards and Franchise Record

On December 21, 2014, Russell Wilson threw for a then-career-high 339 yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, leading the Seahawks offense to gain a franchise-record 596 yards in the game.

2014: NFL Top 100 Ranking

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

December 22, 2015: Third Pro Bowl Selection

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

2015: NFL Top 100 Ranking

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

2016: Dak Prescott's Passer Rating Record

In 2016, Dak Prescott achieved a passer rating of 104.9.

2016: Pro Bowl Offensive MVP

In the 2016 Pro Bowl, Russell Wilson was drafted first overall by Team Irvin and was named the Pro Bowl offensive MVP after completing eight of 12 passes for 164 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, resulting in a 149.3 rating.

2016: NFL Top 100 Ranking

Russell Wilson was ranked 17th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

December 19, 2017: Fourth Pro Bowl Selection

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

2017: NFL Top 100 Ranking

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

September 2018: Wheaties Cereal Box Cover

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

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

August 2019: Seattle Sounders FC Ownership

In August 2019, Russell Wilson and Ciara joined the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer club. The Sounders won the 2019 MLS Cup, giving Wilson an MLS Cup to his name as part owner.

2019: Sixth Pro Bowl Selection

In 2019, Russell Wilson was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career, replacing Aaron Rodgers.

October 1, 2020: Wilson named NFC Offensive Player of the Month

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

2020: Threw 30 Touchdowns for Fourth Consecutive Season

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

2020: Named Walter Payton Man of the Year

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

March 1, 2022: Release of Children's Book

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

Why Not You?

Check it on Amazon

May 2022: 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.