Russell Wilson Biography Russell Carrington Wilson born November 29, 1988 is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Wilson had previously played 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and two seasons with the Denver Broncos. He was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times during his tenure with the Seahawks and led the team to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLVIII. Widely regarded as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, Wilson’s contributions to the game are well-recognized. Wilson played both football and baseball at NC State from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to the Wisconsin Badgers in 2011. There, he set the FBS single-season passer rating record and guided the team to a Big Ten Championship and the 2012 Rose Bowl.
Russell Wilson Biography
Russell Carrington Wilson is an American football quarterback whose career has had its share of twists and turns. After spending 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. Despite high hopes for the move, Wilson’s time with the Broncos ended in 2024 after just two seasons. He has since signed a deal to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the upcoming season. Wilson’s net worth is an impressive $165 million. Despite being selected in the third round (75th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seahawks, Wilson quickly made a name for himself, leading Seattle to a Super Bowl victory in 2013, just his second season. Over his career, Wilson has been named to nine Pro Bowls. In March 2022, he was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Russell Wilson Biography Details
Born: | November 29, 1988 (age 36) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Weight: | 206 lb (93 kg) |
High school: | Collegiate School (Richmond, Virginia) |
College: | · NC State (2007–2010) · Wisconsin (2011) |
NFL draft: | 2012 / round: 3 / pick: 75 |
Category | Football Biographies |
About Russell Wilson
Russell Carrington Wilson is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He previously played 10 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and two seasons for the Denver Broncos.
- Born: 29 November 1988 (age 36 years), Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Current team: Pittsburgh Steelers (#3 / Quarterback)
- Spouse: Ciara (m. 2016), Ashton Meem (m. 2012–2014)
- Dates joined: 2024 (Pittsburgh Steelers), 2022 (Denver Broncos) · See more
- Height: 8 m
- Parents: Harrison Wilson, III, Tammy T. Wilson
- Education: University of Wisconsin–Madison (2011–2012), North Carolina State University (2007–2010), Collegiate School (2007)
Early Life and Background
Born at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Wilson grew up in Richmond, Virginia. His parents, Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, a lawyer, and Tammy Wilson (née Turner), a nurse director, raised him alongside his older brother, Harrison IV, and younger sister, Anna. Wilson began playing football at the age of four with his father and brother and played his first organized game with the Tuckahoe Tomahawks youth football team in sixth grade.
Wilson’s great-great-grandfather was enslaved by a Confederate colonel and was freed after the American Civil War. His paternal grandfather, Harrison B. Wilson Jr., was the former president of Norfolk State University and played both football and basketball at Kentucky State University. His paternal grandmother, Anna W. Wilson, was a faculty member at Jackson State University.
Endorsements
Wilson earns about $14 million annually from endorsements, partnering with brands like Amazon, American Family Insurance, Alaska Airlines, Bose, Duracell, Levi’s, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, and Nike. He also serves as the Chairman of NFL FLAG and an ambassador for the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association.
Investments
Wilson is savvy with his investments. He has put money into projects like the Portland Diamond Project, aiming to bring a minor league baseball team to Oregon. He also invested in VICIS, a football helmet company, and “Molecule,” a mattress brand. Together with his wife, Ciara, he co-owns the Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team.
Other Ventures
Wilson is also the CEO of West2East Empire, a brand management firm overseeing two production companies. He launched his clothing line, Good Man Brand, in 2016 and later partnered with Juice Press to open the franchise’s first Seattle location. Additionally, Wilson founded TraceMe, a fan-celebrity connection platform, with investors like Jeff Bezos and Joe Tsai.
Russell Wilson’s House and Cars
Wilson purchased a massive $25 million home in Denver’s Cherry Hills Village, a property that spans five acres with over 20,000 square feet of space. The house includes 4 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a 9-car garage, an indoor pool, a basketball court, and a theater. Wilson also owns several luxurious cars, including a Mercedes G-Wagon, Audi, Range Rover, Tesla, and a Rolls-Royce.
Charity Work
Wilson is deeply involved in charity. Through his Why Not You Foundation, he donated $1,060,005 to Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2016. He also partners with Russell Investments to donate money for every touchdown he scores. He supports organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and contributed 1 million meals to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who Earns More: Russell Wilson or His Wife, Ciara?
Wilson’s wife, Ciara, is a renowned singer, dancer, and model with a net worth of $30 million as of 2023. While Wilson’s earnings surpass hers, the couple’s combined wealth is substantial.
Other Ventures
In addition to his business and investment ventures, Wilson is the co-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC and the Good Man Brand clothing line. He is also the founder of TraceMe, an app designed for fans to connect with celebrities.
Is Russell Wilson the Highest-Paid Quarterback?
Wilson became the highest-paid player in the NFL in 2019 with a $140 million contract extension from the Seahawks. Currently, after his trade to the Broncos and subsequent contract extension, Wilson is set to earn $296 million over seven years, though he has now joined the Steelers for the 2024 season.
Russell Wilson’s Annual Earnings
Wilson earns about $39 million annually from his NFL salary, and another $14 million from endorsements. His investments and business ventures add even more to his income.
Russell Wilson’s Net Worth in 2025
By 2025, Wilson’s net worth is projected to be $165 million. According to Forbes, he was ranked the 46th highest-paid athlete in 2022. A significant portion of his wealth comes from his NFL contracts, which total $238 million in salaries alone, and his various investments, which have boosted his net worth.
Russell Wilson Contract
Wilson signed a five-year contract extension with the Denver Broncos worth $242.6 million, including a $50 million signing bonus and $161 million guaranteed. His average annual salary was around $48.5 million. However, after being released by the Broncos in 2024, Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which offers him a base salary of $1.21 million. Despite this, Denver still owes him $38 million for his 2024 salary.
Russell Wilson Salary
Wilson earns an annual salary of approximately $39 million. He made headlines in 2019 when he signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Seahawks, which included a $65 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid NFL player at the time. In 2022, Wilson joined the Broncos and signed a massive contract worth $245 million over five years, with a guarantee of $161 million. This deal significantly contributed to his rising net worth.