Russell Wilson has often spoken about the immense influence his father, Harrison Wilson III, had on his life.The former NFL quarterback has credited his father with teaching him the importance of the three Ps: perseverance, purpose, and perspective.“My dad’s taught me a lot. Taught my family a lot. He’s the best man I know; he’s the best man I’ve ever known,” Wilson said via NFL Films Presents in 2015.“My dad’s taught me so many different life lessons I need to write a book about it. One of the things that really stuck with me: always persevering, always having a great purpose, and always having a great perspective.Those 3Ps have been really involved in my life. I’ve really come through a lot of tough situations and just continue to believe.”
Russell Wilson’s resemblance to his father Harrison Wilson III is uncanny
Harrison Wilson III was more than just a father to Russell Wilson. He was an Ivy League graduate, a lawyer, and a former athlete who raised three children — Harry, Russell, and Anna — while maintaining what his family remembered as his trademark smile.Before becoming a lawyer, Harrison was a lightning-quick wide receiver at Dartmouth College, graduating with the Class of 1977.His football capability left an everlasting impression on his family, and Russell appeared to particularly inherit some of those athletic traits.Since high school, Russell has displayed his father’s graciousness and athleticism.His uncle, Benjamin Wilson, said Russell’s running style, shiftiness and ability to cut against the grain bore an uncanny resemblance to his father’s playing style. He noted that Russell even coughs like his father.
Harrison Wilson III life lessons
In a 10-year Dartmouth alumni book, Harrison Wilson III was asked about life after Dartmouth and life in general. His response reflected the philosophy he would later pass on to his three children.“There is absolutely no way to avoid the thorns of life. The key is not to dwell on the bad times but to remember the effort asserted in accomplishing the positive moments. Each person must have a strong inner constitution.”“My brother had that, and his sons and daughter have that,” Russell Wilson’s uncle Benjamin Wilson said on NFL Films Presents in 2015.That philosophy became especially meaningful to Russell, who has repeatedly credited his father’s guidance for helping him navigate the challenges of his football career and life beyond the field.Harrison’s influence on his children extended far beyond football. His approach to life became a crucial aspect of the family’s legacy.“One thing my dad used to always say, ‘I feel good this morning, oh yes, I do!’” Russell’s brother, Harrison “Harry” Wilson IV, recalled on NFL Films Presents in 2015.
Russell Wilson’s father played wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
Harrison Wilson III continued pursuing his passion for football after college.Roughly 30 years before his death [June 9, 2010, at the age of 55] from complications related to diabetes,Harrison spent one training camp and part of the 1980 preseason roster with the San Diego Chargers [now the Los Angeles Chargers], fulfilling a lifelong dream and earning a mention in the team’s 1980 Media Guide.“Wide receiver Harrison Wilson ranks fourth all-time Dartmouth University receivers with 65 catches for 860 yards in four seasons,” the Guide noted.During his final preseason game with the Chargers, Harrison caught a touchdown and immediately called his brother Benjamin at 2 a.m.According to Benjamin, the moment meant so much to Harrison that it could only rival his wedding day or the birth of his three children.That passion for football, coupled with his determination to pursue his dreams, ultimately became part of Russell Wilson’s own story.The values Harrison instilled in his children – perseverance, purpose, and perspective – continued to shape Russell throughout his football career.
Russell Wilson NFL career, career earnings, net worth, and retirement
After 14 NFL seasons, Russell Wilson finished his playing career with nearly 47,000 passing yards and more than 350 touchdowns, along with a 99.3 passer rating over 205 games.Wilson won the Super Bowl XLVIII playing for the Seattle Seahawks in the second year of his NFL career.According to Spotrac, his total career earnings reached $315 million, while Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth at $185 million.Wilson retired after 14 seasons as a professional football quarterback, spanning from 2012 to 2025.The 37-year-old has since transitioned into broadcasting and is currently a CBS Sports NFL analyst, taking over the role previously held by Matt Ryan.Ryan subsequently took on the role of President of Football Operations for the Atlanta Falcons.
What is Why Not You Foundation ?
Why Not You Foundation is a “non-profit committed to transforming lives through education, children’s health, and the fight against poverty- empowering today’s youth to lead with Why Not You? Attitude,” according to its official website.Harrison Wilson III’s influence on Russell lives on through the Why Not You Foundation, which Russell launched with his wife, Ciara, in 2014.The foundation’s name was inspired by one of the messages Harrison repeatedly shared with his son: “Why not you?”“My dad, when I was young, he always inspired me,” Russell Wilson told ESPN in August 2020.“He used to always ask me the question, ‘Son, why not you? Why don’t you play pro baseball? Why don’t you play pro football?’The idea of ‘Why not you?’ was really at the center of who I was. I started really subconsciously and consciously asking myself that question.”Harrison would often pretend to be a reporter on the drive home from Russell’s games, conducting mock interviews with his young son. He would ask Russell what it would feel like to have just won a Super Bowl.Russell recalled one such moment during an interview with ESPN in August 2020, when he was 10 years old.“My dad just told me in the car, ‘You can go however far you wanna go,’” Wilson said.“Why not you? That was a fun time in my life because I got to play the game I love, I was young, and I had these big, big dreams. I used to write them on my wall.”Those precious childhood conversations were a testament to Harrison Wilson III’s everlasting influence on his son.From teaching Russell to persevere through adversity to encouraging him to dream without having any limits,Harrison helped shape the fierce mindset that ultimately carried Russell from a young athlete with big dreams to a Super Bowl champion and 14-year NFL quarterback. And now, CBS Sports NFL analyst…