In a break from his public persona, QB Russell Wilson said the first days of the Trump administration “have gotten out of hand,” and jokingly yearned for the return of President Obama.
Russell Wilson came out against the actions of President Trump on Facebook Live! / Drew Sellers, Sportspress Northwest
In a break with his long-standing media custom of saying nothing controversial or deeply personal, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson said he voted for Hillary Clinton and thinks President Trump “may not be able to last four years,” saying of the new president’s first 11 days: “This thing is getting out of hand.”
As he sat for a haircut in a Los Angeles studio before appearing on a show, Wilson, on a Facebook Live post, spoke critically about the political and social tumult since the inauguration.
“This whole Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton thing has went on, and now Donald Trump becoming our president, despite anybody’s political issues or views, everybody has the right to choose who they want to vote for,” Wilson said. “But this thing is getting out of hand. It’s getting out of hand, people. I don’t care who you voted for.
“Just so you know, I voted for Hillary. But, when you think about it, it’s only been what — two weeks? Or even less than that. We gotta attack this issue here. Basically, I think that when you think of all the negativity that’s happened, it’s already too much. It’s already crazy. It’s already affecting people’s hearts and souls and lives in such a negative way, in my opinion.”
Wilson referred to Trump’s executive order Friday that placed a 90-day pause in travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, including a U.S. ally, Iraq. The decision resulted in the temporary detainment by Homeland Security of more than 300 travelers nationwide, and sparked protests at U.S. airports, including Sea-Tac.
The order was widely perceived to be anti-Muslim and has been largely condemned in the sports world.
“We go to LAX airport and there’s people all over the place, fighting for their lives and protesting,” Wilson said. “All the protests that have gone on through the African-American community, through the Muslim community, too. If we’re gonna be a nation that says we’re equal, we have to be equal.
“Obviously you have to be smart. But you also have to treat people fairly. You have to be able to love everyone. I know from even my own Christian faith, you still have to love everybody. No matter what our issues are, we still have to find ways to love people and care for people.”
Wilson then talked about a truncated Trump term.
“I think that’s the thing that’s been crazy already,” he said. “I don’t even know if he’s going to be able to last four years, in my opinion. You don’t want to wish bad upon anybody. Because if he doesn’t last four years, that means that something went wrong. So hopefully, nothing goes wrong any more than what it’s already doing.
Laughing, Wilson then calls for the return of President Obama.
“It’s just been a crazy 10 days already and . . . Barack! Come back, Barack! Come back, Barack!” he said. “Despite a lot of people’s issues or views, people realize how much President Obama was able to deal with situations.
“People’s feelings are getting hurt, people’s lives are being changed, or people are getting sent back or not let in back home to see their families, for reasons that may not be worthy. Just because you believe in something. or you’re from a certain place, doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. There’s a lot of things I could say.”
That was certainly more than he’s ever said before. Unlike teammates Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett, Wilson has steered clear of political and social themes that might alienate some football fans.
Indeed, the world has changed.
Facebook is paying Wilson and other celebrities and media outlets a fee for using its new tool. Wilson reportedly is receiving $200,000, and probably got its money’s worth.
YourThoughts