Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's happening today – Tuesday, Sept. 29 – for your Seattle Seahawks.
Russell Wilson Describes Motivation For Early-Season Dominance
Russell Wilson's early-season run has been widely discussed. Russ has a league-leading 14 touchdown passes – the most in league history through three games – to just one interception. He's also second in the NFL with a 76.7 completion percentage and fourth with 925 passing yards.
Every week now it feels like the media is discussing how Wilson has never received a single MVP vote. Early this season, it looks like that could finally change in 2020.
In his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated spoke with Wilson about what motivates him. The talk often centers around younger star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, but Russ isn't too concerned with what they're doing.
Here's an excerpt from Breer's column where Wilson described the four motives that drive him:
I did ask Wilson if hearing so much about (Monday's) combatants – Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes – lit fire underneath him at all. And he countered with the four things that motivate him more than anything else.
The first is his faith, he said, "because God's given me this opportunity." The second is his family, he continued, because "I want my kids one day to see that Dad was able to do everything he could to leave it on the line for the family." And then, the third and fourth things are the ones that are easier for the rest of us to see.
"The third thing is, for me, when I think about who I want to be, I want to be the best to ever play this game, ultimately. That's the thought process," he said. "I've got a long way to go, I've just got to keep my head down and keep working. The fourth thing is I love winning. I love winning. That's the only option. Winning is the only option. I love winning."
If you know Russ, none of these four things are surprising. He's always fallen back on his faith and his family, and that's evident nearly every time he speaks publicly. The third and fourth motives he listed are just part of what makes him one of the league's best players. Being the best to ever play is a tall task – after all, by definition, there's only one best player ever. And, of course, he wants to win. After winning his first Super Bowl in Year 2, Russ got the taste of victory and has been striving to get it again ever since.
Seahawks Legend Jermaine Kearse Officially Retires From NFL
Jermaine Kearse officially hung up his cleats on Tuesday morning, retiring after a successful eight-year career with the Seahawks, Jets and Lions. Kearse, who played five of his eight seasons in Seattle, will always be remembered throughout Seahawks history. Born in Lakewood, Wash., Kearse also attended the University of Washington before joining the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Known for emerging in the big moments, Kearse had six touchdowns in his 12 career playoff games. He caught the go-ahead score in the 2013 NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. Two weeks later, he had four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown to help Seattle win the Super Bowl. The next year, Kearse caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Packers to send the Seahawks to their second consecutive Super Bowl.
Cliff Avril Hosts 'Dining To Make A Difference' Charity Event
Seahawks Legend Cliff Avril and the Cliff Avril Family Foundation held the seventh annual "Dining to Make a Difference" charity event on Monday night. The event was held virtually for the first time in its history, but that didn't stop Avril from making the night special for attendees.
For the dinner portion of the event, Avril and other Seahawks Legends hand-delivered meals to registered VIP guests. Avril, Kam Chancellor, Lofa Tatupu and DeShawn Shead were among the Seahawks Legends who delivered dinners, according to social media.
Current Seahawks players K.J. Wright, Poona Ford and Bryan Mone were also spotted on social media as delivery drivers. The event raised money for charity through live and silent auctions.
Nate Burleson Hypes Up DK Metcalf After Game-Winning Touchdown
DK Metcalf's second NFL season has started off just about as well as anyone could've hoped. Outside of the fumble at the goal line on Sunday, DK has been spectacular. He already has three touchdowns in three games after totaling seven all of last year. Even more impressive is that his yards per reception is up by over nine yards compared to last season (15.5 to 24.8).
DK has been so good that people outside of Seattle are starting to take notice, especially after his game-winning touchdown catch Sunday against the Cowboys. Seahawks Legend and current NFL Network host Nate Burleson praised Metcalf on Monday's episode of "Good Morning Football."
"DK Metcalf is the NFL version of posterizing somebody," Burleson said.
Here are his full comments about how he expects Metcalf to burst onto the national scene:
Social Post Of The Day
Yesterday was Seahawks Legend Steve Largent’s birthday, and current Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf paid tribute to the Hall of Famer with a simple yet effective message.
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle has news and notes from Pete Carroll’s victory Monday press conference.
Also on Seahawks.com, Boyle gives you the 12 numbers that told the story of Sunday’s win.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times wrote about how Shaquem Griffin’s late heroics helped him earn more playing time moving forward.
John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle believes the Seahawks’ pass rush has turned a corner after Sunday’s performance.
Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest compiled a list of the single-season Seahawks franchise records that Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are on pace to break.
