Wilson gave his thoughts on what the “it factor” for a quarterback actually is
Russell Wilson is an old hand at this NFL stuff, entering his 14th season in the NFL. The first-year New York Giants quarterback may soon be joined by a wet behind the ears NFL newbie in the team’s quarterback room.
Wilson, 37, was asked on Monday, as the team gathered for its first voluntary offseason workout, to reflect on what it is like for a rookie quarterback to adjust to the NFL.
“The hardest thing is the speed of the game and the talent of the players around you,” Wilson said. “I was able to play in the ACC with a really good, talented team and was playing against some of the world’s best guys, like (former NFL linebacker) Luke Kuechly, and Hall of Fame player. I got to go against guys from Florida State and Clemson and just different all-time players.
“But I think the thing is the game was super fast then, but you go to the National Football League, and it’s even faster. You’re getting everybody’s best. You’re getting the best, best player in the ACC. You’re getting the best, best player in the SEC in college, and then you’re getting the experience of the veterans that are the all-time greats from wherever they come from.
“The speed of the game I think is the biggest thing for guys.”
Wilson said you have to see it to know players can make the leap.
“The question is, can guys adjust, whether you play receiver or quarterback, running back, defense? It doesn’t matter what position you play. You’ve got to be able to adjust [to] the game,” he said. “I think I was fortunate because I got to go against some of the best players in the world every day, and that was always great to just have that competitive edge.”
Wilson said quarterbacks need the “it factor” in order to succeed.
“I think in any position it’s really about what you’re capable of. I think the grit that you have, the mentality, the ability, the winning habits that you have, all those things are critical,” he said. “The “it” factor, the ability to change the room, the ability to elevate others, to make them be their best no matter what position you play.
“For me I knew that God had given me a gift to lead. God had given me a gift to throw a ball a really long ways and drop in a bucket and throw it up to the moon and let it fall down, I guess, and just the certain things that I was able to do. For me every day I’m just grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had and just to be able to inspire others.”
Wilson dropped to the third round of the 2012 draft, at 5’11 considered by many to be too short to be a successful NFL quarterback. A Super Bowl title, a second Super Bowl appearance, 10 Pro Bowls and more than 46,000 passing yards later, Wilson proved that wrong and opened the NFL door for other shorter quarterbacks.
“There weren’t many short quarterbacks in the National Football League, and there weren’t many guys at the time that were dual threats at the time. There were guys like Cam (Newton), and there were guys like Colin Kaepernick and Tyrod (Taylor) and a couple of others really, but that was really it at the time,” Wilson said.
“So, for me I just wanted to be able to change the narrative, and I think it’s definitely changed along the way, and there’s many guys before me that were able to do that for me and crack the door open too.
“I was fortunate to be able to win the Super Bowl and I take pride in that – to be able to win the Super Bowl, to be the first mobile guy like that, but – shorter mobile guy, I should say. Then I think also, too, to be an African-American guy, the second black quarterback to ever win it was something significant.
“I always have fun thinking about that. A lot of amazing memories, and we’ve got to go make more.”
Wilson and his new team took the first small step toward trying to accomplish that on Monday.
