No, Russell Wilson isn’t going to play baseball

Russell Wilson mentioned baseball again, which of course means another round of debating whether or not the Seattle Seahawks quarterback and former Colorado Rockies farmhand would actually ever attempt to juggle two sports professionally.

HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is airing an interview with Wilson next week, and in a preview released over the weekend, Wilson tells Gumbel, “I never want to kill the dream of playing two sports. I would honestly play two sports.”

Wilson recently made another spring training appearance with the Texas Rangers, the team that currently controls his baseball rights, and when Gumbel asks Wilson what is stopping him from playing two sports, Wilson replies with a chuckle, “I don’t know. I may push the envelope a little bit one of these days.”

If this has you worried as a Seahawks fan, it shouldn’t. Wilson, who spent two seasons playing minor league baseball in 2010 and 2011, very well might believe he can succeed in baseball—he’s a good enough athlete and driven enough that it is feasible he could find success were he to give up football and focus on baseball only—but Wilson is also smart enough to know how bright and lucrative his future is in the NFL.

Wilson isn’t going to walk away from football, and at 26 and four years removed from baseball, he is in no position to actually compete for a Major League roster spot while splitting time between two sports, something an NFL team isn’t going let its franchise quarterback do anyway. It’s one thing for a running back like Bo Jackson or defensive back like Deion Sanders to juggle two sports, but the demands put on a quarterback make it pretty much impossible to add a second job in the offseason to the mix. Wilson right now is leading player workouts in Hawaii, something he organized in Southern California the previous two years. A player as driven as Mr. No Time For Sleep himself isn’t going to be OK with going into an NFL season having not prepared as thoroughly as possible.

Hell, I’d love to be proven wrong. It would be absolutely fascinating to see one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks attempt something so unusual and difficult as juggling a second sport while playing the most important position in his current one; I just don’t see how it possibly makes sense.

If Wilson truly doesn’t care about money—and if that’s the case, why is he on my TV so often pitching American Family Insurance, Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, Braun, Duracell and others?—then maybe he would consider giving up football at some point to give baseball one last chance. But unless Wilson is willing to walk away from nine-figure career earnings, chasing baseball at this point in his life makes no sense. Let’s just say for a second, Wilson decided to give baseball another try. He’s currently 26 years old, and hasn’t played organized baseball since 2011. And back in 2011, Wilson struggled to hit playing for Colorado’s Class A affiliate, posting a .228 average while striking out 82 times in 193 at bats. Again, that was four years ago. In A ball.

And in addition to the fact that it makes little sense for Wilson to pursue baseball at this point, we also don’t know how this interview was edited. After all, HBO’s goal in releasing this clip more than a week before the show airs is to get people to tune in, and the fact that Wilson playing baseball is now a big topic on sports radio this week shows HBO succeeded in getting people talking about its show. For all we know, Wilson might have said, “I would honestly play two sports” then continued with something like, “if it were feasible, which as an NFL quarterback it isn’t, but it’s fun to dream, right?”

Or maybe after Wilson chuckles talking about pushing the envelope, he says something like, “but seriously, my focus is on helping the Seattle Seahawks win another Super Bowl.”

So why is Wilson even talking about this? Most likely, it’s simply because he does still love baseball and the dreamer in him believes he could succeed in that sport, and since Wilson was just at spring training, Gumbel asked the question. Or maybe Wilson and his people think he can gain a bit more leverage in contract negotiations with Seattle by floating the idea of playing another sport. Whatever the motivation for Wilson talking about two sports, “could Russell Wilson play professional baseball?” is a relevant topic to debate; “Will he play professional baseball?” however, is not.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.