Seattle, WA (BVM) – In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks drafted a player by the name of Russell Wilson 63rd overall out of the University of Wisconsin. Coming out of the third round, no one expected Wilson to make a push for the starting quarterback spot, especially with the Seahawks signing Green Bay’s Matt Flynn to a three-year, $19 million deal that offseason. But little did anyone know, this small-in-stature quarterback would become a cornerstone for this franchise and this city for years to come.  

One random Tuesday in May 2012, Wilson showed up to the Seattle Children’s Hospital at 23 years old to visit the kids. The response he got was nothing compared to what he has gotten for the past eight years. Wilson recalled in an interview with Greg Bell how he was received, “the lady said, ‘who are you, again?” This came after Wilson had already called ahead to ask if he would be able to visit.

Later Wilson spoke of his visit saying “and so after the first day I went – I saw five or six kids – and I told her when I was leaving, ‘can I start to come back, you know, every time?” Once again, the hospital woman responds with “I don’t even know who you are.” 

Clearly it was a shock to be asked by someone if they are allowed to visit the children every single Tuesday, and yet for those who know Wilson, this is who he has been his whole life.

Wilson was raised by two upstanding parents, Harrison and Tammy Wilson. The example they set for him, his religious conviction, and his upbeat positive attitude are key traits that have led to the man that he is today, and has made it possible for him to be examples to many. This doesn’t mean that his life was easy by any means.

Adversity and Wilson have become acquaintances over the years. He lost his father to diabetes in 2010, and soon after that, his coach at NC State took away his starting position before his senior season after breaking numerous ACC Conference records. 

Wilson did not let that stop him, let alone slow him down.

When asked what inspired him, Wilson said “my dad. When I was young, he always inspired me. He used to always ask me the question, ‘Son, why not you?’ 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.”

Without a doubt, the influence that Wilson’s father had on him and his motto of “Why not you?” led to him being a weekly visitor to the Children’s Hospital and infusing the kids with hope and positivity.

Speaking about what brought about the idea of visiting the hospital, Wilson said “my mom had been an ER nurse. My dad, unfortunately, was always in the hospital. So, unfortunately, I had gotten used to hospitals, being around them. It’s one of the toughest places to be, because it’s the people you care about most. And I think that one of the things I want to be able to do in Seattle is just make an impact for the kids. Just going there and visiting them.”

Katie Fath, lead staff member and coordinator for Wilson’s visits, spoke to the impact that the visits have on everyone involved. 

“Staff, patients and families all look forward to having Russell on campus,” Fath said. “It has been so exciting for staff to know that this is a regular part of Russell’s world, it makes people feel special, encouraged and connected.”

Wilson understands that there are things bigger than football, and these visits are one of them. “It’s been one of the greatest gifts God’s given me.” It clearly is also one of the greatest gifts for all the people involved.

After almost eight years of Tuesday visits, one might ask, how is Wilson so unwavering in his commitments?

Recently in a podcast with Bill Simmons, Wilson spoke to how he lives his life. 

“I’m a positive person by nature, I believe in positivity. The reality is, being negative is never really going to get you anywhere.” He continues by saying “I think about being neutral. I always think about shifting to a neutral mindset, it’s being neutral in the midst of chaos.”

While speaking of coordinating Wilson’s visits, Katie Fath mentioned how “when Russell spends time with the kids he really gets to know them, asks them questions about their life and looks for easy ways to connect. Russell likes to encourage kids to write down their goals, to look at them every day and then visualize themselves meeting those goals.” 

Wilson implores that they know anything is possible and just like his father asks, “why not you?”

Nothing embodies Wilson more than consistency and positivity. Him being neutral and constant helps his team win in tight situations, so why can’t he apply the same mantra to helping those kids fight cancer and other illnesses?  

Amidst the global pandemic, Wilson didn’t throw in the white flag and give up on the beloved Tuesday visits, instead he adapted and moved to Zoom calls so that he can continue to have opportunities to brighten those young kids’ lives. 

Fath mentioned that the transition to Zoom was far smoother than expected.

“We’ve got an amazing technology specialist who coordinates patients and the calls,” She continued by saying. “The calls have proven to be just as meaningful as the in-person visits.” It is evident that everyone involved is grateful for the uplifting interactions despite the COVID restrictions. 

These visits to the Children’s Hospital have become the fabric of the Seattle community. Fath and the team at Seattle Children’s Hospital are “grateful to have him cheering on our patients and families.” 

“Russell is a great example that you can make a difference in someone’s life, sometimes by just spending some time getting to know them.” 

We could all take a page out of Russell Wilson’s book and try to make a difference in someone’s life. And remember, “Why not you?”

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