Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, has just ended a training session and claims to have been up for three hours. I tell him I couldn’t carry off such an ambitious early-morning routine, but the joke falls flat since Wilson does not perceive negative thoughts and feelings, even when they are self-deprecating.
Wilson is a Super Bowl champion, he’s married to Ciara, and he’s the highest-paid athlete in the NFL as of April. Aside from football, he’s had a busy summer, most notably surprising his mother with a new house for Mother’s Day. He is also the co-founder of the clothing company Good Man Brand, which will be available on Amazon Fashion on Wednesday.
Wilson talks Good Man Brand, being the “old guy” in the locker room, and his favorite tunes off his wife’s new album in a brief interview with GQ.
GQ: What inspired the creation of Good Man Brand?
Wilson, Russell: We intended to build an aspirational modern, classic, and trendy brand. We manufacture fantastic clothes with amazing fabrics, but our ultimate goal is to inspire a generation. What is a good man to do? I recall my father. I admired him because he was dedicated, worked tirelessly, served, and gave back. So if someone buys a jacket, a pair of pants, or anything else, we donate three percent of the earnings to the Why Not You Foundation. [Editor’s note: Why Not You funds organizations that “empower change in the world, one individual and one child at a time.”]
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To be honest, we’re on fire right now. We’re just growing and growing and growing in the fashion world. I often tell folks that once you put on a pair of Good Man Brand jeans, you’ll never want to wear another pair. They’re quite comfortable.
Have you always had a passion for fashion?
I’ve always had a liking for two things: One is the interior and exterior of houses, because I grew up without much, so I’d always go house shopping in Virginia with my parents and dad. Back then, you could just stroll into a house and give me a thumbs up or down.
Another thing I grew to like was fashion. When we discussed starting Good Man Brand, the fact was that I was unmarried at the time. I was thinking, “What should I wear on a date?” For males, deciding what to dress for a job interview or a date with a woman who is totally out of your league—say, a date with Ciara—can be difficult. It’s simple to have a three-point game, such as a suit and tie, a good blazer, and a white shirt. Then there’s the layup line look, which involves wearing Nikes to the mall. However, the mid-range game is crucial. That’s where you triumph. You want to dress to impress while simultaneously remaining calm and confident.
