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Russell Wilson’s season has been marred by uncertainties: the picks, tough losses, and now losing his starting spot to rookie Jaxson Dart. But if there’s one thing that’s never wavered with him, it’s his commitment to helping others. Through his Why Not You Foundation, the veteran quarterback has always found ways to give back. Russell Wilson visited the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York in collaboration with his foundation. “We set our hope in Him & on His love!!! Every day is a gift🙏🏾 Another Miraculous Tuesday,” the NY Giants’ QB captioned on Instagram. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Wilson visited the children to bring a sense of positivity and normalcy during the toughest stretch of their lives. He posted stories with multiple young patients. “God is our refuge and our strength!!! Grateful for every moment with the beautiful souls,” he wrote. He has been visiting the hospital regularly over the last three months. “Over the past three months, we’ve had the incredible honor of welcoming Russell Wilson, quarterback for the New York Giants, to Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital 🏈💙,” the hospital’s Instagram account posted. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad They shared that Wilson’s been a regular part of the kids’ days. Whether it is celebrating discharges, hosting bingo on KZTV, battling it out in air hockey, or even helping one young patient write out affirmations to stay motivated, he has been there. “Thank you, Russell, for being a champion both on and off the field, and for cheering on our team with heart and plenty of high fives. We’re looking forward to more special moments to come 😊,” the hospital’s official page wrote. Of course, Wilson’s track record of giving back to the people is not new. Back in Denver, he spent time with oncology patients at Centura Health’s St. Anthony Hospital. And during his stint in Pittsburgh, he visited UPMC Children’s Hospital to check in on a high school football player who had collapsed during a game. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports So even as this season tests him on the field, the 36-year-old continues showing up for people off it. And honestly, that says a lot about his character. Especially considering the rough patch he’s hit lately. And that includes a recent jab from his old coach, Sean Payton. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Russell Wilson responds to Sean Payton’s jab Sunday’s game ended in chaos for the Giants. Despite leading for most of the matchup, they somehow let Denver rack up 33 points in the fourth quarter and steal the win. But it was Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s words that made the headlines after the game. “I have a ton of respect for (Giants) organization,” Payton said. “They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to (Giants president) John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game,” he added. Despite the loss, rookie Jaxson Dart had a pretty impressive performance with three touchdowns and 283 yards, which is what prompted him to say these words. But Russell Wilson didn’t take much time to respond. “Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. 😎😂 #LetsRide 🤣,” he wrote on X without taking any names. If you’re wondering about the “bounty hunting” reference, it’s a callback to Payton’s 2012 suspension for the Saints’ infamous Bountygate scandal, when players were allegedly paid to injure opponents. The tension between these two goes back a while. During their time together in Denver, Wilson went 7–8 in 15 starts, throwing 26 touchdowns and 8 picks. Decent numbers, right? Well, not good enough for Sean Payton. The Broncos benched him in Week 16, citing “financial flexibility,” which was really about avoiding a massive injury guarantee in his contract. He was released a few months later. It’ll be interesting to see if this feud escalates further.
