There have been countless incidents of rivalries between the sets of two NFL teams taking an ugly turn. Disorderly conduct and reports of fan violence are often associated with some of the fiercest rivals in the league. Over the years, some rivalries have simmered from the gridiron to the stands such as the Raiders and the Chiefs fans engaging in some unsavory incidents in the stadium. Another rivalry, which may not be deeply rooted but brings out the worst in some of the fans at times is the Seahawks vs 49ers clash.

Russell Wilson has experienced what it feels like to be right in the middle of this heated matchup. From his rookie year in 2012 to his departure in 2022, Wilson helped the Seahawks hold a 17-4 record over the 49ers. While his team was dominating on the gridiron, there were some peculiar fan incidents of fan animosity that time which Wilson recently highlighted.

Hopping on the Not Just Football podcast with Cam Heyward, Russ recalled his rookie year with the Seahawks and how the 49ers fans used to treat them whenever there was an away game, “I remember my rookie year we played in Candlestick(49ers’ previous home)..when you pull up to the stadium.. they(49ers fans) would like p*** on the bus. You pull up, they were p*****g on the bus. There were eggs on the bus.” Even Cam Heyward and Wilson’s wife Ciara, who was also present in the podcast and said she was unaware of such incidents, were flabbergasted to hear what Russ had to say about the Niners fans.

Since becoming NFC West rivals in 2002, the 49ers and the Seahawks have not seen eye to eye. The rivalry intensified in 2011 when college rivals Pete Carroll (USC) and Jim Harbaugh (Stanford) coached the Seahawks and the 49ers respectively.

They turned both franchises into regular playoff contenders and rivalry received more hype. In 2011, the 49ers enjoyed a resurgence and they were on top of both the NFC West and the league; finishing 13-3. They would also beat the Seahawks twice under Harbaugh, who added spice to the rivalry.

On September 11, 2011, in San Francisco, California, after the 49ers beat the Seahawks, rumors started to circulate that Harbaugh honked his car horn and purposefully annoyed the Seahawks team bus after the game. When the 49ers beat the Seahawks in Seattle, Harbaugh questioned the Seahawks’ tactics and continued to go after them, calling them “cheaters” because of the recent string of performance-enhancing drug suspensions occurring in Seattle.

By 2013, the rivalry had reached the next level as the Seahawks grew into a defensive powerhouse, and the 49ers, behind quarterback Colin Kaepernick, led a lethal double-headed attack, one of the best in the league. That year, they shared the spoils in the regular season with one win each, but a third game ensued as they competed in the NFC Championship for the first time ever.

The Seahawks prevailed and went on to win the Super Bowl that year by beating the Denver Broncos in the final game, their first Lombardi Trophy.

However, after Wilson’s move to the Broncos, the 49ers caused a seismic shift in the rivalry. They went on to win six in a row before that streak ended this season, thanks to a Geno Smith rushing TD back in November.

Since his glory days with the Seahawks, Wilson has now found himself struggling to settle down in one place. With his future in Pittsburgh still hanging by a thread, conflicting reports are coming in about Russ in black and gold.

NFL insider still believes Russell Wilson has a future in Pittsburgh

See, a few days back, a Steelers insider dropped a concerning prediction on Russell Wilson’s future in black and gold. Dejan Kovacevic, in his latest report, said, “I will keep this short and very much to the point: Russell Wilson’s not wanted by the Steelers. Like at all.” 

Well, hearing those words from Kovacevic may not be a surprise, considering the way Wilson’s season ended. But on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter gave a complete opposite insight about the things going on with Wilson’s contract.

His take on Pat McAfee Show painted a completely different picture, “I was with Russell on Friday, and I’m just telling you, the tone that I got from him was entirely different than reports that are out there. But Schefter also added, “We’ll see what winds up happening, whether or not he’s back there. But I think he feels like there’s definitely a chance he’s going to be back there.” 

Now, both Schefter and Kovacevic could be proven right or wrong, considering what happens in the next few weeks. Wilson has always remained adamant he wants to play for Pittsburgh and no one else: “I just love the guys. I love the locker room. I love Coach Tomlin, I love playing the game. And, you know, if it works out that way, I’m excited to do that for the black and gold again.” 

So, the ball is in the Steelers’ court now. It’s totally up to them whether they want to have another season of Wilson under center. Or is it time for them to go ahead with the Justin Fields experiment?