9781422277263

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

Aaron Rodgers Antonio Brown DrewBrees J.J. Watt Julio Jones Rob Gronkowski RussellWilson

Tom Brady Von Miller

Gridiron Greats PRO FOO TBA L L’ S BES T PL AY ERS

by Joe L . Morgan

MASON CREST

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4075-5

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4067-0 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7726-3 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Morgan, Joe L., author. Title: Russell Wilson / Joe L. Morgan. Description: Broomall, Pennsylvania : Mason Crest, [2019] | Series: Gridiron greats : pro football’s best players | Summary: “From on the field exploits to off the field insights, Gridiron Greats gives the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today’s pro football stars”-- Provided by publisher. | Audience: Young adult readers. Identifiers: LCCN 2018020762 (print) | LCCN 2018026033 (ebook) | ISBN 9781422277263 (eBook) | ISBN 9781422240755 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422240670 (series) Subjects: LCSH: Wilson, Russell, 1988---Juvenile literature. | Football players--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV939.W545 (ebook) | LCC GV939.W545 M67 2019 (print) | DDC 796.332092 [B] --dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018020762 Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Interior and cover design: Jana Rade, impact studios Production: Michelle Luke

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Contents

Further Reading . . . . . . . . . 74 Internet Resources . . . . . . . 75 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . 79 Educational Video Links & Author Bio . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . .7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . . 21 Chapter 3: On the Field . . . . . . 39 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . 51 Chapter 5: Off the Field . . . . . . 63 Series Glossary of Key Terms . . 72

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND Class A – a classification of minor league baseball for professional players that is three tiers below the major league level Culminating – ending or arriving at a final stage Feat – a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness or skill Legacy – something of value that has been left by a predecessor, denoting the accomplishments or worth of a person’s life Phenomenal – highly extraordinary or prodigious; exceptional

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

Chapter 1

Greatest Moments

RUSSELL WILSON’S NFL CAREER Russell Wilson, born November 29, 1988, appeared to have all of the makings of a major league baseball (MLB) shortstop or second baseman. Drafted 140th overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 MLB Draft, Wilson played Class A ball in the summers and was on his way to a pro baseball career. In the autumn, he also attended North Carolina State University (beginning in 2008) where he played football and baseball for the Wolfpack. Wilson made all-conference as a quarterback (QB) in his freshman year, and it appeared that he had numerous athletic options available to him and was going to leave quite a legacy behind him at NC State. That was not to be, however, as Wilson opted to transfer after his junior year to Wisconsin to finish his college play with the Badgers, culminating in a January 2012 appearance in the Rose Bowl and being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

As the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks since 2012, Wilson has amassed a 56–23–1 win-loss-tie record, completing 64.6% of his passes and throwing for 18,193 yards and 127 touchdowns with 45 interceptions through the 2017 season. He led his team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 (XLVIII) and 2014 (XLIX), winning in his first appearance. WILSON’S STATS PACK Wilson has put up phenomenal numbers at the quarterback position. In the time that he has led the Seahawks at the quarterback position, he has accomplished the following: • Wilson’s quarterback rating was over 95.0 in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. He is the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to accomplish this feat . • Wilson posted a rating of at least 100.0 thirty-two times in his first four seasons, the most in NFL history. Joe Flacco and Dan Marino are tied at twenty-five games with a passer rating of 100.0 or more in their first four seasons. Technically, Aaron Rodgers has themost games with a rating of 100.0 or more with thirty-eight games in his first four seasons as a starter, however, he did not become the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers until his fourth season in the league. • Wilsonhas thrown for 20ormore touchdowns ineachof his six seasons (through2017). • Wilson has the highest yards per attempt average for a quarterback (7.8) since 1951. Wilson’s stats have put him in a class that is unique for quarterbacks coming into the NFL, having started every single game since his rookie year in 2012. All signs indicate great things are heading his way for years to come.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS ACHIEVED BY RUSSELL WILSON DURING HIS TIME IN THE NFL SO FAR. Wilson’s Greatest Career Moments

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN PASS Russell Wilson emerged as coach Pete Carroll’s favorite to start at quarterback for the Seahawks coming out of the 2012 preseason. This was despite the fact that the team spent a lot of money on free agent QB Matt Flynn, previously of the Green Bay Packers. Wilson threw a touchdown pass in his first game as a pro, in a 20–16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on September 9, 2012.

Russell Wilson completes an 11-yard pass to WR Zach Miller for a 4th quarter touchdown in his first NFL game, September 9, 2012, against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST CAREER WIN It would not take long for Russell Wilson to begin to show the winning ways that he brought from the University of Wisconsin to the professional ranks. His second pro start was a game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 16, 2012. In a matchup against one of the league’s premier signal callers, Tony Romo, Wilson threw for 151 yards and a touchdown, completing 75% of his passes for a 112.7 quarterback rating. The Seahawks beat the Cowboys by a score 27–7.

Highlights of Wilson’s first victory as a pro, a win over the Dallas Cowboys, September 16, 2012.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST 3,000+-YARD SEASON Wilson hit the 3,000-yard mark passing in his rookie season. He finished the season playing in all 16 games and also made two playoff starts that year. He would throw for 3,118 yards and share Rookie of the Year honors with Robert Griffin III of Washington.

Highlights of Wilson’s rookie performance in 2012 where he passed for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players

FIRST 300-YARD PASSING GAME Wilson posted phenomenal numbers in his rookie season, hitting the 3,000-yard benchmark with 3,118 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 100.0. He did not however pass for over 300 yards in any of the games he played in 2012. In his first game of the 2013 season on September 8, 2013, against the Carolina Panthers, Wilson passed for 320 yards for a rating of 115.7, completing 75.8% of his passes as his team won over the Panthers, 12–7.

Highlights of Russell Wilson’s first 300-yard effort in the NFL against the Carolina Panthers, September 8, 2013.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

FIRST PLAYOFF VICTORY Russell Wilson made his first appearance in a playoff game on January 6, 2013, in a wild card game against Washington. Wilson threw for a touchdown and 185 yards as he led the Seahawks to a 24–14 victory. The game featured the 2nd overall draft pick from the 2012 draft in Robert Griffin III out of Baylor. Wilson was the 75th overall pick, but, beginning with this game, has proved to be the superior player. This performance was a stepping stone for Wilson’s future playoff greatness.

Russell Wilson led the Seahawks in a wild card playoff game against Washington, January 6, 2013, in a matchup between the Pepsi Max Rookie of the Year (Wilson) versus the AP Rookie of the Year (Robert Griffin III).

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Gridiron Greats: Pro Football’s Best Players