Russell Wilson found out he was Seattle’s starting quarterback with a hug. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called Wilson to his office, and told the rookie that he would be the starting quarterback when the season opens in Arizona in two weeks.
Wilson described hearing the news following Monday’s practice: “He just gave me a big hug,and said, ‘Russell, you’ve done a great job, had a great preseason, you’ve been a leader of this football team and you’ve worked extremely hard to be great, and this is your opportunity now. You’ll be starting.’ I was extremely excited. for my name to be called for this football team is pretty special. I’ve tried to do everything possible to prepare myself and prepare this football team to be great.”
Wilson winning the job may have been a surprise to many who figured the undersized third-round pick would need time to develop, but he said he came to Seattle believing he could win the quarterback competition with Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson.
“I definitely started with that as a goal,” he said. “I have high expectations of myself. I always have, I always will; that will never waver. I always believe in my talent, I always have.”
And speaking of Wilson being short—yes that point has been driven into the ground by now—he said he isn’t motivated by proving his doubters wrong, but he is motivated by the chance to inspire other young athletes.
“Me being a shorter quarterback, I believe that I’m playing for a lot of other kids in the future, to be honest with you,” he said. “That’s part of my motivation.”
Being a rookie won’t mean lowered expectations, not to Wilson, and not to Carroll.
“Even though I’m a rookie, I believe I can help this team win and do great things,” he said. “… My goal every time I step out on the football field is to be great. I’m never afraid to excel, that’s the way I’ll always be every opportunity I get.”
“I desire to be great. That’s my goal. That’s the biggest thing for me.”
Moffitt returns, and other injury news
Guard John Moffitt, who has not played in the last two preseason games while recovering from elbow surgery, returned to practice Monday. Carroll said Moffitt will likely play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Raiders, but J.R. Sweezy is still getting a lot of work with the first unit.
Running back Marshawn Lynch was not at practice because he was receiving treatment for back spasms, which also kept him out of last week’s game. Lynch will not play in Thursday’s game.
Safety Kam Chancellor practiced, but was limited by a hip injury.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
