From the bright lights of NFL stadiums to the sun-dappled lawns of backyard football, Russell Wilson‘s passion for the game is matched only by his dedication to fatherhood. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback recently gave fans a heartwarming peek into his family playbook.

On July 19, 2024, Wilson’s Instagram lit up with a video that could melt the ice off Heinz Field. It featured his stepson Future tossing spirals to the son of Charly Martin, Wilson’s former Seahawks teammate. The proud papa’s caption reads like a prophetic play call: “Ballin! Young ballers! Soon to be in NFL Wilson to Martin!”

But this wasn’t just another day at the Wilson family training camp. It’s part of a long-running series of tender moments between Russell and Future, a relationship that kicked off with an unexpected blitz of love. Rewind to 2015, when Wilson met Ciara and 9-month-old Future. As he shared with I AM ATHLETE in February 2024, “When I walked in the room and saw, you know, little Future, who was 9 months at the time, and he crawls in my lap … it was like, ‘This is going to be my responsibility.'”

Talk about a game-changing play! Wilson didn’t just step up to the line of scrimmage; he embraced fatherhood with the same intensity he brings to fourth-and-goal situations. “I remember leaving that night and God saying to me, ‘Raising this child it’s gonna be your responsibility,'” Wilson recalled. He even admitted to a moment of divine timeout, asking, “Are you sure this is what you want me to do?” But like any great quarterback, Wilson read the signs and made the call.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s playbook for parenting is filled with love, support, and a healthy dose of sports. He’s made it clear that there’s no difference in how he approaches raising Future compared to his biological children. “When you’re raising children … you’ve got to love every single child as if they’re yours,” Wilson stated, proving that in his household, everyone’s on the starting lineup.

A multi-sport MVP in the making

While football might be Wilson’s bread and butter, Future’s athletic menu is more like a sports buffet. The young athlete has been showing off skills that would make any sports agent salivate.

Take basketball, for instance. Wilson recently shared an Instagram story showcasing Future’s hardwood heroics. “Future’s a Baller,” he proudly proclaimed as the youngster spun a gym ball on his finger with the finesse of a Harlem Globetrotter. You could practically hear Wilson’s excitement through the screen as he cheered, “Let’s see how long you can go! Let’s go, come on!”

But wait, there’s more! Future’s not just dribbling and passing; he’s also hitting home runs in his father’s heart. In May 2024, Wilson gave his Instagram followers a front-row seat to Future’s baseball skills. “Future rollin! 💨💨💨,” he captioned a video of his son rounding the bases faster than a speedster stealing second. The proud dad even tagged the Pittsburgh Pirates, perhaps hinting at a future draft pick.

Wilson’s support goes beyond social media cheerleading. He’s actively involved in Future’s sports journey, from father-son golf outings to rubbing elbows with sports royalty. During the NBA All-Star game, Wilson introduced Future to none other than Steph Curry. The Warriors’ sharpshooter gave the young protégé some pointers, a moment captured and shared by the Golden State Warriors with the caption “Leader, Mentor, All-Star.”

As Future continues to explore the vast playing field of sports, one thing’s crystal clear: he’s got an MVP-caliber cheerleader in Russell Wilson. Whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or even a future in professional finger-spinning (hey, you never know!), Future’s got a solid foundation to build on.