Seahawks Ex Cliff Avril Calls Out Russell Wilson Haters: 'It's Unreal!'
His departure from the Seattle Seahawks was supposed to be filled with pleasant new beginnings and greener pastures.
But Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has instead been beaten and battered with criticism since being traded last offseason, as he has quickly gone from being one of the NFL's golden children to a declining veteran with some understandable questions surrounding his ego.
Still, not everyone is participating in the hatred from the masses. Wilson's former Seattle teammate and one-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cliff Avril came to the defense of his former quarterback on Twitter Friday and didn't hold back on how he feels watching Wilson get criticized for what Avril thinks is unnecessary reasons.
"I usually stay out the way and stay in my own lane but it’s tough watching people go in on someone every year and he never defends himself so things keep stacking up," Avril tweeted. "It’s unreal! Personally, as a teammate and a man have never had any issues with how he’s moved."
An abysmal first season in Denver that ended with a 5-12 record has been lower on the attention pole for Wilson lately. Beyond what was arguably the worst season of his career, the 34-year-old has faced additional criticism for controversy surrounding his charity work along with recent reports that he wanted Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider fired prior to be traded in March 2022.
But Avril, who won Super Bowl XLVIII with Wilson during their first of five seasons together, knows the kind of teammate and person Wilson was with the Seahawks.
"Always been a stand up guy towards my family and I!" Avril tweeted. Sometimes people just don’t like things they don’t understand. Something’s ain’t meant to be understood."
Under new coach Sean Payton, Wilson has a shot at a redemption tour-like season in 2023. Being an NFL quarterback will always come with its criticisms, and Wilson is far from finished receiving those.
But at least now, Avril has made it clear that he's got his former teammate's back.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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