New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson has become a household name. Not only is he a 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, but he’s also one half of a power couple. But before the popular QB was married to superstar Ciara, he was married to Ashton Meem. And, in an unfortunate play on words, Ashton did, in fact, become a meme. Let’s revisit the viral draft-day moment with Wilson and learn more about Ashton.
Who Was Russell Wilson’s Wife Before Ciara?
According to her LinkedIn page, Meem joined Wilson in attending North Carolina State University. She initially attended the University of Georgia, but transferred to N.C. State (like Wilson). Meem studied advertising at Georgia and pivoted to communications once she got to N.C. State.
Meem and Wilson got married in January 2012, just a few months before the Seattle Seahawks drafted the quarterback.
Meem was by Wilson’s side when he was selected with the No. 75 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. While celebrating the news that Wilson had been drafted, Ashton couldn’t hide her excitement, and a meme was born.
Happy Ashton Meem Day to all of those who celebrate #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/X8UxJSBhrT
— billzinmepocket (@billzinmepocket)
The high school sweethearts would ultimately split up just over two years later in April 2014. In recent years, Meem has worked as an account executive for Morton Consulting and an advertising operations assistant at American Family Insurance.
She’s largely managed to stay out of the public eye since her divorce from Wilson almost more than a decade ago. It probably didn’t help that the couple’s separation was marred by some controversy.
At the time, there was gossip that the couple divorced because Meem had an affair with Wilson’s former Seahawks teammate, Golden Tate. However, the former Seahawks wide receiver adamantly denied those rumors in a piece he wrote for The Cauldron.
“I did not have an affair with Russell Wilson’s wife, nor did I have anything to do with his divorce,” Tate writes. “That is laughable for anyone who knows us. His ex-wife, Ashton, is still best friends with my girlfriend. Russell and I were good friends when I was in Seattle, on and off the field.”
After becoming a meme and later having her awful rumors spread about her, it’s no surprise that Ashton has tried to stay out of the public eye since her divorce.
Hopefully, Ashton is doing well and is in a good place. Perhaps she can even laugh about the meme that seems to resurface each year around the NFL Draft.
Preview for Bills vs. Giants Preseason Week 1 Game
The Buffalo Bills begin their quest for a Super Bowl with the preseason opener against the Giants. Josh Allen and Co. have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL over the last half-decade, yet they haven’t had any silverware to show for it.
The upcoming season is crucial for the Bills, as another loss before reaching the Super Bowl could cost Sean McDermott his job. As a result, Buffalo has to set a tone from the jump, and it starts in the preseason.
As for the Giants, they are in a completely different phase from the Bills. While Wilson is their starting quarterback, many expect Jaxson Dart to get an opportunity to shine eventually.
It will be interesting to see how long Wilson continues to start, as New York has a tough schedule to open the season. Since Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s jobs are on the line this year, the Giants will not stay pat at the quarterback position if the team struggles.
Cheaters disappear
Awesome