Russell Wilson playing for N.C. State against Georgia in the NCAA Super Regional in June 2008. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT/Getty Images)
Quarterbacking the Wolfpack as a redshirt fresman in 2008. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)
Wilson wore his faith on his wrist, specifically Psalm 91—“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust”—in a game against East Carolina. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated)
Eluding North Carolina’s Quinton Coples during a win at Chapel Hill in November 2010. (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images)
A 2010 draft pick of the Rockies, Wilson played for Colorado’s Single-A affiliate, the Asheville Tourists, in the summer of 2011. (Tony Farlow/Four Seam Images/AP)
After transferring to Wisconsin for the 2011 season, Wilson took charge in Camp Randall Stadium. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated)
Looking rosy after leading the Badgers to victory over Michigan State in the 2011 Big 10 championship game, and earning a trip to Pasadena. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated)
Rolling out for a four-yard touchdown run in the 2012 Rose Bowl against Oregon. (Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated)
Wilson chats it up with Robert Griffin III at the 2012 combine. Griffin would be drafted second, Wilson 75th. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Wilson’s baseball rights were picked up by the Texas Rangers in December 2013, and he duly turned up for spring training in March ’14. (Brad Mangin/Sports Illustrated)
Showing he’s still got it at second base. (Brad Mangin/Sports Illustrated)
Win or lose in Super Bowl 49, Wilson knows he’s always got something to fall back on if the football thing doesn’t pan out. (Brad Mangin/Sports Illustrated)