Russell Wilson Gets Very Honest About Jacob Blake Shooting

Russell Wilson Gets Very Honest About Jacob Blake Shooting

Russell Wilson got very honest about the Jacob Blake shooting this week.

Appearing on 710 ESPN, the Seattle Seahawks star acknowledged how difficult it was to see video of what transpired in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and then the subsequent fallout across the nation.

“I think just witnessing what happened to Jacob and everything else and all the things have added up to this, it’s devastating,” he said.

“It’s truly devastating just to watch that. This isn’t like this hasn’t been doing on for years. That’s the scary part and sad part. The difference now is we get to see it every day because of social media and phones and everything else.

“I think the world is truly seeing the ugliness of society at times, and I think what’s really disappointing is just knowing that as we athletes try to make a difference and sometimes people don’t want to listen and don’t want to recognize that that could have been us, that could be us.”

Wilson is the father of three children, and the prospect of losing one of them terrifies him.

Russell Wilson, on this morning with @dannyoneil and @GallantSays on @710ESPNSeattle, was asked if he and the Seahawks would have joined other athletes in not playing if the team had a game this week. https://t.co/stgPrVF0jw pic.twitter.com/NCST7IVa50

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 28, 2020

Russell Wilson Not Only QB To Speak Out

Wilson was not the only prominent NFL player to speak out about social justice this week.

Freshly signed New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton also offered his two cents on what has been happening as of late in the United States.

Patriots fans had an interesting reaction to Cam Newton’s decision to speak out. https://t.co/ew6UMTU9F3

— Game 7 (@game7__) August 28, 2020

“What’s going on in this country of ours at times is extremely disgusting,” he said.

“And until we find a fix, then more than ever we have to unify as one as much as possible. From the Black Lives Matter campaign to the social injustice, bringing awareness with that, to just everybody becoming more aware of certain things, and not necessarily turning their ear, turning their face with things that are extremely blatant.”

“We have to use our platform to raise awareness for issues like this,” he added.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians weighed in, too – albeit with a slightly different opinion.

“Protesting doesn’t do crap in my opinion,” he said. “I’ve been seeing it since 1968.”

Bruce Arians did not bite his tongue. This could have a huge impact on the Bucs locker room. https://t.co/0YWQNcOGjw

— Game 7 (@game7__) August 27, 2020

Instead, Arians advocated what he described as “action.”

“I think your responsibility is to take action,” he said.

“I don’t know that protest is an action. I think each guy, as a personal thing, I would beg them to take action, find a cause, either support it financially or do something to change the situation.”

All in all, this is obviously a stressful time for many athletes, coaches, owners and fans in the sports world. What used to be an escape from the trauma of real life has turned into something else entirely. The news is unavoidable at this point.

It can be a lot to deal with, clearly, but it is unlikely to change any time in the foreseeable future. Wilson, Newton and other players will continue to open up about the issues that matter most to them, and fans are either going to need to get used to it or move on to new interests.

Related: Mike Tomlin Explains Why Steelers Will Not Boycott

Anthony Amador

A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.