Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks

Derek Jeter retired from baseball this week as a hero.  Today he launched his next endeavor, the Player’s Tribune website, with a column written by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.  Mr. Wilson announced his new initiative Pass the Peace to support survivors of domestic violence.

Blew.  Me.  Away.  I was gushing tears when I heard the report tonight on KING5, Seattle’s NBC affiliate.

Russell Wilson with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll

Mr. Wilson admits that he was a bully in his youth.  Today, he spends a great deal of time boosting the spirits of kids battling tremendous medical issues. He has launched the Why Not You Foundation, and his first mission is Pass the Peace:

When I look back at beating kids up on the playground, I don’t like that image. But I moved past that place in my life, and I’m proud of the man I am now. . .

Russell Wilson

I can’t fix the world. I can’t fix the NFL. I can’t change the guys around me.  The only person I can change is the one in the mirror. I’m not a perfect person by any means. I’m just a recovering bully. But if we start being honest about our pain, our anger, and our shortcomings instead of pretending they don’t exist, then maybe we’ll leave the world a better place than we found it. For those of us in the NFL, there’s no excuse for violence off the field.

Wow!  I think it might be time for me to become a football fan.  Thank you, Russell Wilson and Derek Jeter.  Bravo!

Related links:

Let’s Talk About It, by Russell Wilson, 10/2/14

First Contributor to Jeter’s Website, Russell Wilson, Talks About Domestic Violence by Lynn Zinsler, New York Times, 10/2/14