The court of public opinion can change on you rather quickly. Such is the reality of Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. What was once a successful and promising career has turned into fans laughing and joking at his expense — maybe a little too often.
Such is the life of an NFL quarterback in the spotlight whose teams have struggled over the last few seasons.
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Russell Wilson and the History of ‘Let Russ Cook’
Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who, at one time, was thought to be one of the main pieces of a growing dynasty with the Seattle Seahawks. Life comes at you fast, and Wilson now finds himself with a new contract but with a struggling team and carrying the brunt of expectations on his shoulders.
With the roller coaster that has been Wilson’s career, let’s take a closer look at “Let Russ Cook” and how it evolved from a term of endearment to a joke rather quickly.
MORE: When Can the Broncos Get Out of the Russell Wilson Contract?
Believe it or not, the phrase was sincere at one point in time. The term “Let Russ Cook” grew from his time in Seattle when he was playing at a high level for the team. The phrase was spurred by fans eager to let Wilson go and be great at a time when the Seahawks and head coach Pete Carroll preferred a run-first offense.
Fans wanted to see Wilson unleashed and felt the team would be better served by putting the game in the hands of their quarterback more often than the running backs. At the height of his career, Wilson was efficient and a true weapon, and the Seahawks were hopeful for the future.
Current Day of ‘Let Russ Cook’ Movement
The thing about love and admiration in sports is that if someone else gets their hands on it, it could go south — quickly.
Such is the case with Wilson and the “Let Russ Cook” movement. In the world of social media, the meaning has since been hijacked and has taken on a whole new meaning of its own. One that is much less friendly in nature.
The slogan has become a meme after Wilson’s disastrous start as a Bronco. Fans were quick to pile on the quarterback after his miserable performance against the Colts in his first season with his new team.
Since then, the only thing that has taken off is the meme. The Broncos and Wilson have struggled throughout his tenure, which has only grown the insidious meaning of the phrase.
As long as the play does not elevate, the “Let Russ Cook” memes will not be going anywhere. The only way to have fans interested in someone else’s cooking is for Russ to go out there and roast some NFL defenses. Until then, he’s the internet chef.