Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He previously played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, achieving notable success, including winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.
Wilson is recognized as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks, holding various records and accolades in the NFL.
Beyond football, he is involved in philanthropy, owning a stake in the Seattle Sounders FC, and has received prestigious awards for his contributions both on and off the field.
Net worth | $165 million |
Profession | NFL player |
Date of birth | November 29, 1988 |
Nationality | American |
Background
Wilson was born to Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, a lawyer, and Tammy Wilson, a nurse director.
His father, who played baseball for Dartmouth University and briefly for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, passed away in 2010 due to health complications.
Wilson’s mother has also been an inspiration throughout his life.
He has an older brother, Harrison IV, and a younger sister, Anna, who both excelled in sports.
Wilson’s great-grandfather was a slave who gained his freedom during the American Civil War, and his heritage is Pan-African, with roots across the entire continent of Africa.
Net worth
Wilson has a net worth of $165 million.
His wealth comes primarily from his NFL earnings, which have reached over $238 million in salaries alone.
In 2023, Forbes ranked him as the 13th highest-paid athlete in the world, with total earnings of $85 million ($72M on the field and $13M off).
Wilson has also invested his earnings in various ventures, such as the Seattle SoDo sports arena, a football helmet manufacturing company, a molecule mattress company, and the Seattle Sounders FC.
Additionally, he is the CEO of West2East Empire, which oversees two production companies, and has launched his Good Man Brand clothing line.
Salary and contracts
Wilson’s current base salary for the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers is approximately $1.2 million.
His previous contract with the Denver Broncos was a five-year extension worth $245 million, with $165 million guaranteed, including $124 million at signing.
Wilson’s career earnings have totaled $266,340,123, with an average yearly salary of $22,195,010.
Endorsement deals
Wilson has a significant number of endorsement deals with various well-known brands, including Nike, American Family Insurance, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Duracell, Bose, Braun, Aerobie, Boardroom and Good Man Brand.
These endorsements contribute to his annual earnings of approximately $14 million.
Business ventures
Wilson is the CEO and founder of west2east empire, which oversees two production companies.
He has invested in the Portland Diamond Project, a football helmet manufacturing company VICIS, and a mattress company called Molecule.
Wilson and his wife, Ciara, took joint ownership of the Seattle Sounders FC in 2019.
He has also launched his clothing line, Good Man Brand, and partnered with Juice Press to launch the company’s first franchise in Seattle.
In addition to his business ventures, Wilson has made significant investments in real estate, including a $25 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village, CO and a bluff-top estate overlooking Lake Washington in Bellevue, WA, which was listed for $36 million in 2022.
Real estate
Wilson has a history of owning and selling luxurious properties in the cities where he has played.
In 2015, he and his wife, Ciara, purchased a mansion in Bellevue, WA, for $6.7 million, which includes six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a bluff-top estate overlooking Lake Washington.
This property was listed for $36 million in 2022 but has since been reduced to $26 million.
In 2022, Wilson bought a mansion in Cherry Hills Village, CO, for $25 million, featuring four bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and an indoor pool.
This mansion was the most expensive residential property purchase in the Denver area, but Wilson has put it up for sale after being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Additionally, Wilson and Ciara own properties in Los Angeles and Mexico, but information about these properties is not widely available.
Car collection
Wilson’s collection includes luxury brands like Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz and Mercedes-Maybach, as well as a practical Dodge Ram 2500.
The highlights of his collection are the Lamborghini Aventador, valued at $500,000, and the Dodge Ram 2500, which has been heavily modified and serves as an urban assault vehicle.
Wilson’s car collection is a testament to his success and style, both on and off the field.
Body care
Wilson invests significantly in his body care, reportedly spending $1 million annually on various aspects of his physical well-being.
This includes expenses on hyperbaric chambers, physical therapy, and having food prepared by two chefs.
Wilson’s dedication to maintaining his body reflects his commitment to peak performance and overall health, showcasing the meticulous approach he takes towards his fitness and well-being.
College career
Wilson attended North Carolina State University from 2007 to 2010, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in communication.
He started for the Wolfpack for three seasons, throwing for 8,545 yards and 76 touchdowns.
In 2008, he was the first-ever freshman to receive First Team All-ACC honors for a Quarterback, and in 2009, he set the NCAA record for most passes attempted without throwing an interception – 389 (INT).
After a successful career at NC State, Wilson transferred to the University of Wisconsin in 2011, where he threw for 3,179 yards, 33 TDs and just 4 INTs.
He led the Badgers to a winning season capped off by an appearance in the Rose Bowl, and he received First Team All-Big Ten recognition.
MLB career
Wilson had a brief MLB career before focusing on football.
He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, 140th overall.
Wilson played second base during his time at NC State and spent two seasons in the minor leagues with the Rockies.
In 2013, he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft, but he did not play any games for them.
In 2018, the Yankees acquired Wilson’s rights from the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.Â
Wilson has not played baseball professionally since 2011, focusing on his NFL career. However, the Yankees still hold his MLB rights.
NFL career
Wilson was drafted in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
He won the starting job for the team during preseason and had a successful rookie season, tying Peyton Manning’s record of 26 touchdown passes by a rookie.
Wilson led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory in 2013 and was named Pepsi’s NFL Rookie of the Year.
He has been known for his efficiency and dual-threat abilities, setting numerous records and earning several accolades throughout his career.
In 2022, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos, where he played for two seasons before being released in 2024. He is currently set to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Accolades
Throughout his career, Wilson has achieved numerous accolades and milestones.
In 2013, he won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.
He has been selected to the Pro Bowl nine times (2012-2015, 2017-2021) and was named Second-team All-Pro in 2019.
Wilson was the NFL Offensive Player of the Month in September 2020 and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.
He also received the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
Wilson holds several NFL records, including most wins by a quarterback through nine seasons (98), highest passer rating in a single postseason (122.9) and most passing touchdowns in a single postseason (15).
He also set NCAA records, such as highest passer rating in a single season (191.8), most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (38), and highest completion percentage in a single season (72.5%).
In 2020, Wilson received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and in 2022, he was awarded the Bart Starr Award.
His impressive career has been marked by consistent excellence and leadership, earning him recognition as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history.
Charitable causes
Wilson’s charity ventures include the Why Not You Foundation, which he founded in 2014.
The organization aims to create real and lasting change in the world by motivating and empowering people.
Wilson and his wife, Ciara, also co-founded the Why Not You Academy, a tuition-free charter public high school in Washington, in 2021.
The couple has a history of visiting hospitals and military bases in their community, and they have donated to various causes, including the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association and Food Lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wilson has also been involved with the Portland Diamond Project, an effort to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Oregon.
In 2020, he won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in recognition of his charity work in the community.
Personal life
Wilson is married to singer and model Ciara. Together, they have four children.
Sienna Princess Wilson was born in 2017, Win Harrison Wilson was born in 2020 and Amora Princess Wilson was born in 2023.
Future Zahir Wilburn, born in 2014, is Ciara’s stepson from her previous relationship with rapper Future.
Ciara has an estimated net worth of $20 million.