The Seahawks kick off Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at 3:30 p.m. PT this Sunday, Feb. 1 from Glendale's University of Phoenix Stadium. Before you settle in to watch the NFL's biggest game, take a look at these 12 fun facts about Seattle signal caller Russell Wilson, who guided the club to its first Lombardi Trophy a season ago.
1. He's 10-0 vs Super Bowl-Winning Quarterbacks
Wilson's hasn't suffered a loss yet when matching up against quarterbacks with a Super Bowl title under their belt. In his three seasons with the Seahawks, Wilson is 3-0 against the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, 2-0 against the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, 2-0 against the New York Giants' Eli Manning, 2-0 against the Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning - including last year's 43-8 win in Super Bowl XLVIII, and 1-0 against the Patriots' Tom Brady.
2. He'll Be Part Of The 2nd-Largest Age Difference Between Starting QBs In Super Bowl History
Wilson is 26 years old. Brady, the Patriots' starting quarterback, is age 37 and in his 15th NFL season. The 11-year age difference between Wilson and Brady will be the second-largest between starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. The largest age difference between NFL title game signal callers? That came a season ago, when the then 25-year-old Wilson went up against the then 37-year-old Peyton Manning. The Super Bowl win by Seattle that season made Wilson the third-youngest starting quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl.
3. He Has The Most Regular Season Wins By A Starting QB In His First 3 Seasons
Wilson has won 36 regular season games with the Seahawks, the most regular season wins ever for a starting quarterback in his first three seasons in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). In that category, Wilson outpaced former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who each tallied 33 regular season wins through their first three years in the League.
4. He's The 1st Player In NFL Playoff History To Throw 4 INTs & The Game-Winning TD In The Same Game
In the Seahawks' NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Wilson threw a career-high four interceptions. Despite the performance, Wilson continued to believe in himself and his teammates as he led the club to a 28-22 overtime victory to secure Seattle its place in back-to-back Super Bowls. Through the Seahawks' final three possessions against Green Bay, Wilson went 6-of-7 for 114 yards, including the game-winning 35-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, good for a 158.3 passer rating.
5. He's 1 Of 3 Quarterbacks To Throw At Least 50 TDs In His First 2 Seasons
Wilson is one of three quarterbacks to throw for at least 50 scores through his first two seasons in the League. With his 52 touchdowns from 2012-13, Wilson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino (68) and future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (52) as the only players to accomplish the feat.
6. He's 1 Of 2 Players With 50-Plus Passing TDs & 1,000-Plus Rushing Yards In Any Two-Year Span
Wilson's 52 touchdowns and 1,028 rushing yards through his first two seasons put him alongside Randall Cunningham (1989-90) as the only players in NFL history to record 50-plus touchdowns passes and 1,000-plus rushing yards in any two-year span.
7. He's Pretty Lucky
Wilson has fumbled 13 times this year (regular-season and postseason combined) and all 13 fumbles have been recovered by Seattle. You could call it luck, or you could call it great awareness on the part of Wilson and the Seahawks.
8. He Hasn't Lost A Game By Double-Digits Since Oct. 2, 2010
In Wilson's three years as a starter, the Seahawks have not lost a game by double-digits. For Wilson, it's a streak that goes all the way through his one year at the University of Wisconsin to his final season at North Carolina State. Wilson last lost a game by double digits on Oct. 2, 2010, when he quarterbacked the Wolfpack to a 41-30 loss to Virginia Tech.
9. He Writes For The Players' Tribune
Wilson is a senior editor at The Players' Tribune, the website launched by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter this past October. It's a project that gives athletes a voice online in an effort to bring them closer to the fans. Wilson, a former professional baseball player himself who grew up a fan of Jeter's, submitted a piece to the site this past week that offered an inside look at his approach to the game.
10. He Recently Launched A New Website
You can check it out at www.RussellWilson3.com
11. He Visits Seattle Children's Hospital Every Tuesday
In what have become known as "Blue Tuesdays" at Seattle Children's, Wilson will visit sick kids at the hospital for 60 minutes each week. It's the official players' day off during the season and Wilson spends it hearing children's stories, sharing their emotions, and speaking to as many kids and their families as possible. He'll often times bring his Seahawks teammates or celebrity friends along with him in an effort to uplift and inspire.
12. He's Going To Lay It All Out On The Line Come Sunday
He said so himself on Twitter.
