10 Things You Didn’t Know About Russell Wilson vs. Tom Brady

By Seth Lassen

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Russell Wilson vs. Tom Brady

Tom Brady Russell Wilson — The quarterback position is perhaps the most recognizable in all of sports. Luckily for us fans, this year's Super Bowl features two of the best signal callers in the business and a matchup full of story lines. Here are 10 things you didn't know about Russell Wilson vs. Tom Brady.

10. "Entourage"

Premiere of HBO Original Series'

10. "Entourage"

Premiere of HBO Original Series' — Being a Super Bowl winning quarterback certainly has its advantages off the football field. Both Brady and Wilson reportedly will make cameo appearances in the upcoming June 2015 film, “Entourage.”

9. Baseball Background

Texas Rangers Russell Wilson

9. Baseball Background

Texas Rangers Russell Wilson — Brady was a catcher on his Serra High School baseball team in San Mateo, California and was drafted in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos.

Wilson was drafted in the 41st round out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles and played baseball at North Carolina State. In 2010, Wilson was drafted in the fourth round by the Colorado Rockies. That summer Wilson played 32 games in the minor leagues for Colorado.

8. Youngest to Start Two Super Bowls

brady super bowl

8. Youngest to Start Two Super Bowls

brady super bowl — When Russell Wilson steps onto the University of Phoenix Stadium field for the first time in Super Bowl XLIX, he will become the youngest quarterback in NFL history to start two Super Bowls, breaking the record previously held by…Tom Brady. Wilson will be 26 years and two months old, while Brady was 26 and six months old back on Feb. 2004.

7. Products of the Big 10

Russell Wilson Wisconsin

7. Products of the Big 10

Russell Wilson Wisconsin — Both quarterbacks played college football in the Big 10 conference. Brady was a two-year starter during his four years at the University of Michigan. Wilson finished his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin after transferring over from North Carolina State.

6. Wilson Won Only Meeting

Russell Wilson Seahawks

6. Wilson Won Only Meeting

Russell Wilson Seahawks — These two teams have not met since the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 24-23 in Seattle in 2012. Below are the quarterbacks' stats from that game:

Wilson: 16/27 293 yards 3 TD 0 INT
Brady: 36/58 395 yards 2 TD 2 INT

5. Overlooked In Draft

Patriots Media Day

5. Overlooked In Draft

Patriots Media Day — Considering the incredible amount of talent both these players have shown to possess in the NFL, you would think they were early-round draft picks, if not the No. 1 overall pick. That could not be further from the case as Brady was drafted in the sixth round and Wilson in the third.

4. Early NFL Career Dominance

Russell Wilson Seahawks

4. Early NFL Career Dominance

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks — Brady took over behind center for the Patriots in his second season, while Wilson stepped in right away in his rookie campaign. Neither Super Bowl XLIX quarterback experienced any growing pains when they were handed the starting job.

First three seasons as a pro:
Brady – 40-12 record, 75 TDs, 41 INTs
Wilson – 42-13 record, 82 TDs, 31 INT

3. Sophomore Super Bowls

Russell Wilson

3. Sophomore Super Bowls

Russell Wilson — As was just stated in the previous slide, these players wasted no time in carrying their team to the top of the football world. Wilson and Brady both led their teams to the Super Bowl in their second year. Brady and the Patriots upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17 on a last second field goal and Wilson and the Seahawks obliterated Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 43-8.

2. Game Managers

Tom Brady Patriots

2. Game Managers

Tom Brady Patriots — Early in both players’ careers, they were better known for racking up wins, rather than gaudy numbers. Many forget the type of player that Brady was early on. The Patriots didn’t unleash the statistics-machine version of Brady we know now until after the quarterback had won his three Super Bowls from 2001-2004. Brady did not throw for 4,000 yards until his fifth year as a starter and didn’t surpass the 30-touchdown mark until 2007.

1. Rushing Yards Differential

Russell Wilson Running Patriots

1. Rushing Yards Differential

Russell Wilson Running Patriots — It’s obvious these two quarterbacks are built very differently. Brady is tall and one of the least nimble quarterbacks you’ll ever see, while Wilson is under six-feet tall and his athleticism might be his best attribute. To give you an idea of the differing styles of play from Brady and Wilson, take a look at their rushing stats. Wilson’s 849 rushing yards in 2014 are more than Brady has in his entire career (823).

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