How did Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson kick his not-so-freshman 15? What inspired the NFL signal-caller to slim down? Find out below!
Russell Wilson’s Fitness Journey
Wilson’s weight has fluctuated since he entered the NFL. His diet and weight gain and loss have been a theme throughout his career.
Disordered eating can be a problem at the NFL and CFB levels, so we are thrilled that Wilson is always under the guidance of nutritionists and other medical professionals.
It goes without saying that the Denver QB looks fantastic no matter what he weighs, but of course, we want him to feel his best!
Wilson Is Trying To Be “As Lean As Possible”
Wilson looked thick as usual, but just a smidgen less, in May 2023. When asked by Broncos media how much weight he lost, the QB wasn’t dropping any numbers.
MORE: PFN Life — Off-the-Field Content
He told the media, “I’m not worried about that.” Instead, he told them he was worried about how he felt. “Yeah, I feel great. I feel lean and mean, ready to go and focused.”
Broncos head coach Sean Payton wasn’t so worried about playing coy with the details. He dropped the specifics on a 1-on-1 interview with Kay Adams: “It’s been really good. He’s in great shape. He’s down like 15 pounds. I think one of the things he does well is a lot of the off-schedule plays … and obviously, with the shape he’s in now … he was always a threat to run. I think we’re kind of seeing what we were used to.”
Stating the obvious, Payton said when Wilson is a little slimmer, he’s more mobile — something the Denver QB is well known for throughout his career.
#Broncos HC Sean Payton let Russell Wilson have it after that fumble on the last drive 😳
pic.twitter.com/xbqDuctod4— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2023
Being the seventh-highest sacked QB ever would slow a lesser man down, but Wilson is no mere mortal on the gridiron.
When asked about his 15-pound weight loss after Payton dropped the beans, Wilson told Adams, “I’m just trying to be as lean as possible. Quick as possible. Trying to stay in my younger days as long as possible. I feel great. I’ve done a whole change in kind of my timing in when I eat and that kind of stuff. I’ve been doing a lot of intermittent fasting.”
We appreciate you trying to cheat Father Time, Wilson, but “younger days” is optimistic, even from one of the most half-full guys in the NFL.
Wilson’s Been Down This Road Before
Like the rest of us, Wilson has been struggling to keep the pounds off in his mid-to-late 20s.
Russell Wilson Chats with Kay Adams, Talks Sean Payton, Discipline… https://t.co/getrZ5EVJ6 via @YouTube
— CottonConnie (@CottonConniee) August 18, 2023
After a leg injury in 2016 that changed the then-Seattle Seahawks QB workout routine, Wilson put on a few pounds. The nimble QB was roughly 225 pounds and had a goal to get to 215 prior to the 2017 season.
Going to the best, Wilson reached out to nutritionist Philip Goglia, the guy who helped Chris Pratt kick 50 pounds for Guardians of the Galaxy.
Goglia upped Wilson’s calorie consumption by nearly double. The QB was eating 4,800 calories with nine separate meals throughout the day.
It feels counterintuitive, but it worked. Wilson met his weight goal as well as dropping his body fat from 16% to 10%.
The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson eats a lot; loses weight? #12thMan https://t.co/DsrRVEmXB9 pic.twitter.com/k1CZy3M9oK
— Seahawks Report (@seahawks_fanly) June 30, 2017