Russell Wilson's Educational Background: What Degree Is In His Showcase?

A Seattle Seahawks quarterback once ridiculed for having small stature, Russell Wilson led his team to an NFC West and Super Bowl XLVIII title. He’s also earned the Rookie of the Year award from NFL.com. Over the course of his career, Russell ran 17,585 passing and roughly 3,000 rushing yards. When football season ends, Russell puts on another hat, more specifically, a baseball cap. On the books, he’s part of the Texas Rangers and spends some off seasons at the team’s training camps. Suffice to say, being part of two professional teams, he’s a huge fan of sports in general. When away from the baseball diamond and the football field, he somehow finds time to devote to his “Why Not You?” foundation. With so little free time left, it’s unlikely he’ll ever continue his education. Read on to find out about his early life and what kind of degree rests next to his Super Bowl ring.
The second of three children born to Harrison III and Tammy Wilson, Russell Carrington spent most of his childhood in Richmond, Virginia. His father, a former NFL prospect, nurtured his son’s love of football and basketball from a very young age. During this time, Russell and his elder brother attended The Collegiate School. This preparatory school serves about 1,600 students from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The main campus includes a fully-outfitted center for the arts, three libraries, two separate science buildings, the Seal Athletic Center, and the Robins Campus. Its other notable alumni include Mike Henry, Robert Wrenn, and Scottie Thompson. In his time at Collegiate, Russell served as class president and as a member of both the basketball and baseball teams.
His education did not end with his high school graduation. G.E. Branch III once wrote: “ “Regardless of whether the team you chose to support in Sunday’s Super Bowl won or lost, can we agree on one point? Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is the NFL’s higher education Most Valuable Player this season.” Even though it meant turning down a draft pick from the Baltimore Orioles, Wilson completed his baccalaureate in communications at North Carolina State University in just three years. This university boasts a student body of roughly 34,000 and is best known for its programs in engineering and education. Russell, seemingly not satisfied with that, went on to earn his Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Much like his undergraduate institution, this school is a large, flagship institution laying claim to a diverse student body. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the classroom, Wilson was awarded the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar award in 2011. Therefore, while some might call Russell Wilson small in stature, it’d be just plain wrong to call him small-minded.