Back in 2012, when the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson as the 75th overall pick, Seattle had no idea they were about to get a future Super Bowl champ and the face of their franchise. But amidst all the noise of becoming a pro-QB, Wilson had someone quietly waiting for him at home—his first Great Dane, Prince. Yes, Mr. Clutch he may be, but he is a human being with soft spots, after all.

Prince wasn’t just his pet. He was family. From Wilson’s rookie year with the Seahawks to his transition to the Broncos and later the Steelers, Prince was there—tail wagging, waiting for Papa Russ to come home after the gridiron grind, and lay his head on his lap. But then came the obvious time to say goodbye.

Twelve years is a long time for a Great Dane, and Prince defied the odds, battling cancer twice and outliving the average lifespan for his breed. It’s no wonder Wilson poured his heart out in a touching Instagram tribute after Prince passed away. “Heaven got a good one,” Wilson wrote. And if you’ve ever had a pet, you know exactly how gut-wrenching that goodbye feels. From hugs and kisses with Wilson’s four kids to the quiet moments that only a dog lover would understand. So did this UFC fighter who became the youngest UFC champion at 23 because he had to go through the same two years back.

In 2022, he lost his German Shephard Rottweiler whom he used to call “my son.” Back then, he had posted a throwback picture of his dog BJ when he was a 12-week puppy and wrote, “Rest easy BJ, thank you for all those amazing years.” Not only does he own the dogs, just like himself, but he also loves to train his dogs extensively. And he also ensures that he gives all the comfort they deserve. Can you imagine, just two months back, he got a seat for his Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd in a plane?!

So, Jon “Bones” Jones does understand the pain. Therefore, he chimed in with his condolences as he wrote: “I’m sorry Champ.” Despite being in a sport that is all about strength, power, and physical dominance, Jones indeed harbors a soft spot for the four-legged furries. Back in 2010, had offered a $1,500 reward for the return of his lost pet Mufasa, a rare cat breed. In fact, after finding the cat, he had written on X, “WE FOUND MUFASA!! Tomorrow afternoon sometime I will contact the woman who gave me the big tip. Very grateful.” For Wilson, this love that Russ had for his Great Danes wasn’t a one-off.

In 2019, Wilson proudly introduced his three massive companions—Prince, Naomi, and Hero. “I love No. 3,” he said, smiling, a nod to both his jersey number and his trio of Great Danes. His dogs were more than a quirky NFL fun fact—they were his joy. Wilson also has two more Great Danes, Naomi whom he got right after his Super Bowl. And the youngest one is named Hero. According to Wilson, “They like to wrestle each other.” But at the same time, he also added, “They are really fast, edge rushers for sure.” Interestingly, whenever the family is away for more than a week, they always take the three huges doggos with them. So what is the best part of having them in one’s life?

“Every time you come home, they welcome you,” Wilson said. At the same time, he also recommended having a dog at some point of life. Wilson’s love for dogs has also brought him to welfare initiatives. In 2019 Wilson joined hands with the Banfield Foundation’s Safer Together initiative. Wilson can sympathize with the difficult choices pet owners living in domestic violence situations have to face.

“The reality is about half of domestic violence victims stay in abusive situations because they fear about the safety of their pet,” Wilson said, adding that only about “10 percent of domestic violence shelter allow pets.” This leaves pet owners in abusive situations with limited options. Wilson partnered with the Banfield Foundation to help change this grim reality, so pet owners can have “shelter and safety along with their pets.” “We want to help people through tough situations, to make sure they feel safe and can keep their family together,” Wilson said of the Safer Together initiative.

Now, as the NFL world reflects on this softer side of Wilson, one can’t help but wonder what’s next for him. He’s had a career many can only dream of: a Super Bowl ring, Pro Bowl appearances, and the respect of his peers. At 36, though, the end zone of his career is in sight. But he’s not waving the white flag just yet.

Russell Wilson isn’t ready to hang up his cleats

Russell Wilson’s career has had its fair share of ups, downs, and surprises. But one thing is clear—he’s not done. He said: “I’ve got a lot of balls left in me.” The guy is itching for another season, and you can bet he’s bringing Prince’s memory onto the gridiron with him. Think about it: a fired-up Russ, playing with purpose? That’s a scary sight for the NFL. Good luck trying to stop that in 2025.

After the Steelers’ season-ending wild-card loss to the Ravens, Wilson made his intentions clear: he wants to stick around in Pittsburgh. “That’s the plan. I love it here,” he said. The only snag? No contract talks yet, and the Steelers’ front office has been quieter than a huddle before a fourth-down play. Where’s GM Omar Khan’s head at? No one knows.

At 36, Russ isn’t exactly market’s shiniest prospect. But he’s proven he can still move the chains. Sure, the Steelers have a tough offseason ahead with Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen all heading into free agency. That’s your entire QB room up in the air. Should Pittsburgh roll with Wilson again, or do they hit reset with someone younger? Big decisions loom.

Some fans think the Steelers missed the mark by choosing Wilson over Fields. Early on, it seemed like a win—Russ led the team to four straight victories. But by mid-season, things started unraveling. From week 15 onward, it was sack city (talk about 33 hits, yikes!), and the offense looked flat. Still, Wilson believes in this team, saying, “I think there’s a lot more to do.” No doubt, the Steelers need to work after the 0-5 end to the season, 10-8 finish, and yet another year of taking an L in the postseason.

Either way, Wilson’s appreciation for his second chance in Pittsburgh shows he’s ready to keep fighting. Steel City, it’s up to you to decide: Back him or keep asking for him to retire.