His retirement came two days after reports suggested he was finalising a deal to become a CBS analyst
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Russell Wilson has retired from NFLopen image in gallery
Russell Wilson has retired from NFL (Getty Images)
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Russell Wilson, the ten-time Pro Bowl quarterback, has announced his retirement from the NFL, confirming he will transition to a role with CBS Sports.
He shared the news in a social media video on Wednesday, with the announcement following reports two days prior that he was finalising a deal to become an analyst on CBS’s Sunday NFL pre-game show.
In the video, Wilson expressed his enthusiasm for the new chapter, stating: "As I enter this next chapter with CBS Sports and ‘The NFL Today,’ I’m so blessed to continue doing what I love most — being around the greatest game in the world."
Wilson's 14-season career began after being drafted by Seattle in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft from N.C. State. He spent his first decade with the Seahawks, famously leading them to their inaugural Super Bowl during the 2013 season.
Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowlopen image in gallery
Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl (Getty Images)
After his successful Seattle tenure, Wilson was traded to Denver following the 2021 season, spending two challenging years with the Broncos. He then played a season in Pittsburgh and another for the New York Giants before retiring.
Throughout his career, Wilson amassed 46,966 passing yards, 353 touchdown passes, and 114 interceptions.
He joins Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to throw at least 20 touchdown passes in each of their first three seasons, and is one of seven selected to 10 Pro Bowls.
He is also the only player in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and fewer than 15 interceptions in four consecutive seasons, and holds the record for most seasons (three) with at least 30 TD passes and 500 rushing yards.
Notably, he is the shortest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
The three-minute video saw Wilson thank his teammates, friends, and family, with special gratitude reserved for former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
"Thanks for taking a chance on a young, 5’11 Black kid from Richmond, Virginia, that was told he was too small to ever make it in the NFL," Wilson remarked.
In his new role, Wilson will replace Matt Ryan, who recently joined the Atlanta Falcons as president of football operations after two seasons on "The NFL Today."
Wilson had considered a 15th season, telling the New York Post last month he was weighing an offer to join the New York Jets as a backup to Geno Smith.
The video featured career highlights and footage of him visiting patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital, concluding with a heartfelt message to his wife, Ciara, and the sport itself: "I thank you, football. ... I am forever grateful."