NFL Seattle Seahawks

10 Things You Need To Know About Russell Wilson Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

10 Things You Need to Know About Russell Wilson Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks NFC Championship
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson lets his game do the talking. He rarely argues calls and rarely fades from the moment. In just his third year, he’s about to do something even Tom Brady couldn’t do so quickly, and if the Brady comparisons are truly parallel, he’ll win his second Super Bowl at only 26. Here are 10 more things you need to know about this brilliant competitor.

10. Owns The Single-Season FBS Record For Passing Efficiency

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks Quarterback reaching back to throw
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

10. Owns The Single-Season FBS Record For Passing Efficiency

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks Quarterback reaching back to throw
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In his final year and with the Wisconsin Badgers, Russell Wilson posted a passing efficiency of 191.78. That means he completed 72.8 percent of his passes and threw 33 touchdowns against four picks. The next closest of all time? Robert Griffin III with 189.48.

9. Played Both Football and Baseball For N.C. State

Russell Wilson Launching football Pete Carroll Seattle Seahawks
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

9. Played Both Football and Baseball For N.C. State

Russell Wilson Launching football Pete Carroll Seattle Seahawks
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

We already knew Russell Wilson was a unique talent, but this wide base of sports prowess probably explains where he gets his versatility from. That, and possibly a familial influence.

8. His Father Also Played Football and Baseball Collegiately

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson flips football after touchdown
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

8. His Father Also Played Football and Baseball Collegiately

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson flips football after touchdown
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently athletic versatility favors nature over nurture, or then again, maybe it’s a draw. Russell’s dad played both sports at Dartmouth and also made the 1980 San Diego Chargers’ preseason roster. Soon after Russell was born and undoubtedly born into an athletic environment.

7. Drafted By Two Major League Baseball Teams

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks Road Uniforms
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

7. Drafted By Two Major League Baseball Teams

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks Road Uniforms
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 41st round of the 2007 MLB Draft, and the Colorado Rockies drafted him in the 4th round in 2010. It appears Wilson has made the right decision every time.

6. He Was Only A Two-Star Recruit Out Of High School

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson throwing on the run
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

6. He Was Only A Two-Star Recruit Out Of High School

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson throwing on the run
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

According to Rivals and Scout, Russell Wilson wasn’t blue-chip caliber. He was the same height and weighed 190 pounds coming out of high school. Wilson was even all-state in Virginia and threw for 40 touchdowns, but apparently he wasn’t “that” impressive.

5. First Freshman QB Ever To Be Named First Team All-ACC

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks fist pump
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

5. First Freshman QB Ever To Be Named First Team All-ACC

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks fist pump
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing like having that ole chip on your shoulder, huh? Wilson continued to fight staunch doubts of his ability and won the starting job at N.C. State by Week 6 of his first year of eligibility. That's sort of like what he would do four years later in Seattle.

4. Not Invited To the 2011 NFL Combine

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks wearing NFL winter hat
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

4. Not Invited To the 2011 NFL Combine

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks wearing NFL winter hat
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Although he was eligible, the letter never came in the mail. In an attempt to garner more notoriety and improve his draft stock, Wilson used his additional year of eligibility thanks to a freshman year redshirt (and diligent study habits) to transfer to the Wisconsin Badgers.

3. He Wins… A Lot

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson back to pass
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. He Wins… A Lot

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson back to pass
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson has the most regular-season wins compared to any quarterback over their first two seasons AND their first three seasons. Wilson also won 29 games in college and more than likely is a tough out in horseshoes.

2. Shortest Quarterback To Ever Win A Super Bowl

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson launching pass against Carolina Panthers
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

2. Shortest Quarterback To Ever Win A Super Bowl

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson launching pass against Carolina Panthers
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know if I’d call 5-foot-11 short, but the NFL record books regard this stature as small. Either way, it’s another notch in Wilson’s belt, going along with all the other records he’s already smashed.

1. First Quarterback To Have A 300/100 Game

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks on the run
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

1. First Quarterback To Have A 300/100 Game

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks on the run
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

This is Russell Wilson’s dual-threat capability in a nutshell. Against the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 19, 2014, Wilson threw for 313 yards and ran for another 106. It was in a losing effort, but it was an impressive performance nonetheless.

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