(CBS Seattle) – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is known for going above and beyond — so it wasn’t a surprise to hear that he will act as senior editor of Derek Jeter’s new project: The Players Tribune, a blog run by professional athletes.
Wilson, who has been known to have a picture-perfect reputation, shocked many by revealing in his first piece that he used to be a bully. A violent and horrible one, in fact.
Here’s an excerpt from ‘Let’s Talk About Domestic Violence‘:
“I used to beat people up. Truthfully, I used to beat people up a lot. Many of you readers probably think I have been Mr. Goody Two-Shoes my whole life, but honestly, I was a bully growing up. In elementary and middle school, I threw kids against the wall. I rubbed their heads in the dirt at recess. I bit them. I even knocked teeth out.”
Wilson asserts that while he retains a fragment of his former self, he has found solace through religion. His candor is refreshing, but he goes on to bring up an important point about the real impact of off-the-field violence.
“Domestic violence extends far beyond the spotlight of the NFL. It’s not unique to my profession. It’s not confined to America. All over the world, right at this moment, men, women and children are taking refuge in anonymous shelters. Many more are suffering silently, without protection. Every day, up to 10,000 Americans are turned away from shelters due to lack of resources.”
Wilson asks readers to make a donation (as little as $2) to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, by texting WNYPassThePeace to 41444.
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