Russell Wilson has put together a remarkable career as an NFL quarterback. Drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson went on to become one of the best players in the Seattle Seahawks franchise history. A remarkable decade-long run came to an end in 2021.
Since then, he’s had various dalliances with the likes of the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, in 2025, he is joining the New York Giants on a one-year deal worth $10.5 million. However, it is not Wilson’s first time representing New York in a professional sport.
The Career That Never Was: Russell Wilson and the New York Yankees
Drawing inspiration from his father, Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, who played football and baseball at Dartmouth, Wilson was also a two-sport star early on at NC State. He earned some rave reviews and became an intriguing prospect as well.
Eventually, he was drafted twice, first by the Orioles in 2007 and then the Rockies in 2010. Signing a contract with the latter, he was a member of their minor league system for two seasons. Playing as a second baseman, he grew to be a full-season Singel-A in 2011.
After transferring to Wisconsin, where he came to be known for his elite QB skills, Wilson’s focus shifted. However, he was still a part of the 2013 Rule 5 Draft, being selected by the Rangers in the Triple-A phase.
During that time, he also became a member of the Seattle Seahawks, leading them to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. While flourishing on the gridiron, he was also a regular with Texas at spring training in each of his two seasons as a Super Bowl participant.
But, what began as a love story in the Super Bowl is finally coming to pass in real-time. Wilson won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2013 season at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York. Four years later, he became a member of the pinstripes-wearing New York Yankees.
Thanks to a trade from the Rangers, Wilson had a new home in New York. In March of 2018, he got his taste for real baseball action as well. In a Grapefruit League game, he got the chance to pinch hit for the legendary Aaron Judge as he faced off against the Braves’ Max Fried.
It didn’t go exceptionally well for him, as he struck out in three pitches. However, after the game, the classic Wilson mentality was on full display. “The best thing for me is, I had no fear. I went up there with confidence.
“I was ready. I’ll always remember that. I’ll always remember when they announced my name, and they call you up there, you get to go up to the plate and the crowd’s going crazy, the Yankees fans. I used to go crazy for Derek Jeter when he walked up to the plate.”
He signed off with a heartwarming message. “To have that feeling and that experience, I’ll never, ever forget that.”
While it cannot be the exact same feeling as standing guard for the New York Yankees, Wilson is going to get a chance to wow New York fans once again, this time as a member of the New York Giants.
