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On This Date In 2012: Russell Wilson Named Seahawks Starting Quarterback

The rookie quarterback earned the starting role nine years ago and has never looked back.

Aug 26, 2021 at 04:11 PM

Nathan

Nathan Rauschenberg

Seahawks.com Contributor

Russell Wilson walks onto the field at CenturyLink Field, now known as Lumen Field, prior to a game in 2012.

Happy anniversary to one of the most significant moments in Seahawks history. On this date in 2012, head coach Pete Carroll announced Russell Wilson would be the starting quarterback for week one of the season.

The 2012 offseason started with the Seahawks signing free agent quarterback Matt Flynn to a three-year contract before landing Wilson in the third round (No. 75 overall) of the NFL Draft. The two newcomers entered training camp expecting a three-way competition for the starting role with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson. But Russell quickly stole the show, impressing Pete Carroll and the rest of the coaching staff with his work on and off the field. Before the Seahawks had even played their final game of the preseason, the head coach had seen enough.

"Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) will start against the Raiders and will start the first week of the regular season." @PeteCarroll
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 27, 2012

"He is so prepared, he does not seem like a first-year quarterback," Carroll said at the time of the announcement.

Wilson took to Twitter afterwards:

I'm thrilled to get this opportunity thanks to @petecarroll, my @Seahawks teammates and the #12thman

Matt 6:33
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 27, 2012

All in all, safe to say it was a wise decision on Carroll's part. The now-veteran quarterback, entering his 10th season in the NFL, has started all 160 games (144 regular season, 16 postseason) the Seahawks have played since his arrival. With Philip Rivers announcing his retirement this offseason, Wilson now holds the longest active consecutive starts streak with 144 regular season starts.

Happy anniversary, Russ!

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

ROD MAR/© ROD MAR

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

LARRY MAURER/Seattle Seahawks

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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Photos of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during his rookie season in 2012.

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