With the regular season kicking off this week, Seahawks players voted on team captains, and for the second year in a row Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Neiko Thorpe will all hold that title in 2019.
"Those guys are incredible leaders for us," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "Thrilled to have them."
Of Wagner Carroll said, "He's a great leader and he's the obvious guy, it's just like a no-brainer. He's the voice, he's the action, he's all of it."
Carroll continued saying those same traits apply to Wilson and added, "He's awesome as the guy who leads the programs. He's calling every play, he has taken every snap forever, he's on it. Both of those guys care so much about what's going on around them, the people they can help and reach out to. They're incredible leaders."
On Thorpe, Carroll said, "Neiko Thorpe has just been the spirit of the special teams for a number of years now, and it's great that the guys recognized him again. He's got a great presence in our room and with our guys."
Wilson was voted offensive captain for the seventh straight season, having only not served as a captain during his rookie year. Wagner captains the defense for the third straight year—he shared the honor with Kam Chancellor in 2017—and the fourth time in the last five years. Thorpe was voted special teams captain for the second time, having shared that honor with Sebastian Janikowski a year ago.
"It means a lot," Wagner said. "I take pride in that. I take pride in being the best leader that I can, trying to be a positive example for guys to see. And for them to hold me in that high regard, I'm grateful. I don't take that for granted. I'm always looking for ways to be better as a leader, be better as a man, so I'm excited to have another year to do so."
Said Thorpe, who has been one of Seattle's top special teams players since joining the team in 2016, "It means a lot. I'm honored. Whenever your peers vote you in, it's outstanding. It just shows that the hard work doesn't go unnoticed. I'm glad they put their faith in me, and I'm going to lead them the right way."
