Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesRussell Wilson said he flew to Seattle to celebrate the career of former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll in January because of the love he has for his former coach.
"We've always had a good relationship. He was like a father figure to me," Wilson said Sunday on I AM ATHLETE. "To me, going back to see Pete was because of the love that was there. I got no hate in my heart. Just love. Just love in my heart."
Wilson's comments are around the 15-minute mark of the video below.
Wilson added that Carroll texted him regularly throughout his 2023 campaign with the Denver Broncos.
There had previously been rumors of tension between Wilson and Carroll, as The Athletic reported in February 2023 that Wilson had "requested" Carroll's firing prior to his trade to the Broncos. Wilson later denied the rumor on social media.
Wilson played for Carroll from 2012 until his trade a decade later. The two combined to lead the Seahawks to the franchise's first championship in 2014 with a win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Carroll was moved from his head coaching position to an advisory role on Jan. 10 after the 9-8 Seahawks missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
The veteran head coach, who left the franchise with a 137-89-1 regular-season record and 10-9 record in the playoffs, indicated the decision was not mutual.
Wilson called Carroll "one of the greatest ever" on social media the day the news broke.
Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilsonOne of the Greatest Ever.<br>"Keep Shooting" Coach. <br>Grateful for the memories. <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteCarroll?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteCarroll</a> <br><br>Best is Ahead. <a href="https://t.co/ct3W4IYIyf">https://t.co/ct3W4IYIyf</a>
The next day, Wilson attended a celebration of Carroll's career alongside other former Seahawks players.
"Grateful for you," Wilson wrote.
Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilsonGrateful for you! Fun Celebrating you tonight and all the memories! <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteCarroll?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteCarroll</a> <a href="https://t.co/gy5qZMXCae">pic.twitter.com/gy5qZMXCae</a>
Wilson said on I AM ATHLETE that he received a call from Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf breaking the news of Carroll's exit and flew up to Seattle the same day to surprise his former coach.
"Pete sees me, and it was just like yesterday all over again," Wilson said. "We'd been there a million times, in those fourth-quarter games, comebacks, in the locker room celebrating.
"Just wanted to celebrate him, because I thought that he gave me so much. In the midst of everybody talking all this noise about me and Pete, we've always and forever been connected."
The Seahawks said that Carroll will continue to work with the team as an "advisor," so there is a chance he and Wilson will meet again in 2024 if the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback returns for a third season with the Broncos.
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