Russell Wilson has never been afraid to go his own way ... to the point at which some critics over the years have accused him of being "corny'' and "fake.''
But maybe, after all this time, his truth should at least be accepted to be "his truth'' - with his thoughts on new Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens being a latest example.
Pickens has plenty of critics, too, and included among them are an assortment of old Pittsburgh Steelers teammates who are now whispering to the media that Pickens was a poor teammate.
If Wilson wanted to go with the flow? He'd simply say the same thing.
But no.
"I love George," Wilson said. "His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he's (gonna) catch it.''
But what about Pickens the teammate and Pickens the person?
It was during an appearance on former NBA star Carmelo Anthony's podcast this week that Wilson - a Super Bowl winner in Seattle and last year the Steelers quarterback who is now the No. 1 QB with the New York Giants - talked glowingly about his former teammate.
"On a serious note, he's misunderstood,'' Wilson said. "He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, too, his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being one of the world's best, I think he has that in him."
Cowboys homers shouldn't argue against what we know to be factual about Pickens' time in Pittsburgh. He had a habit of being late to meetings and practice and he was involved several on-field incidents that led to fights and fines.
At the same time, the Cowboys - traded for Pickens on May 7 and who have had all positive things to say since regarding his teaming with CeeDee Lamb and the rest of the fellas under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer - did their research.
They are convinced that they have the locker-room culture that can help Pickens, 24, be the best version of himself.
And Wilson agrees.
While playing with Wilson last season during an eight-game stretch, Pickens caught 33 passes for 537 yards and three touchdowns. Maybe that productivity is a reason for Wilson's view here.
But again, think about it: Why would Wilson go public with a Pickens opinion so against-the-grain unless it is, in his experience, true?