Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson files for divorce

Russell Wilson and Ashton Meem were married in 2012. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has announced that he and his wife Ashton are divorcing, via a statement released by the team on Wednesday.

Wilson said the decision was not easy and respectfully asks for "prayers and understanding and privacy during this difficult time."

The couple was married in January 2012 after his final college football season at Wisconsin and prior to his being drafted by the Seahawks with the 12th pick of the third round.

Wilson quarterbacked the Seahawks to a win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII in his second NFL season.

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He was recently purchased by the Texas Rangers in the Rule-5 draft in December and

spent time at the team's spring training camp

speaking to the club's prospects on the powers of 

motivation and winning attitude.