Russell Wilson Says Raising Little Future As His Own Has Been 'The Greatest Gift:' 'I Was Ready For That'
Russell Wilson candidly shared his experience of embracing the challenging and fulfilling responsibility of becoming a stepfather to Ciara's first child, Future Zahir Wilburn.
In a recent interview with Brandon Marshall for the 'I Am Athlete' podcast, the Denver Broncos quarterback delved into the initial apprehension he felt when taking on this significant role.
"When I walked in the room, I see lil' Future, he's nine months at the time and he crawls in my lap," he said. "It was like, 'This is gonna be my responsibility.' I remember leaving that night and God saying to me, 'Raising this child is gonna be your responsibility.' I said, 'God, are you sure this is what you want me to do?' God said, 'Son, this is for you.' "
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Wilson, 35, reflected on the initial encounter with the singer and lil' Future, candidly expressing that from the very first night, an undeniable sense of familial connection enveloped him. Recognizing the natural nervousness that came with this profound realization, Wilson cleverly described it not just as a scary idea but more like an opportunity.
"Yes, scary in the sense of... not scary, but it was more so an opportunity. Like, 'Okay, God, this is what you want me to do? You know, stepping in to raise a child with Ci.' And realizing like, 'Okay God, I know she's the one for me, but also too, I'm going to take this responsibility as well? Okay. And I was ready for that," he continued.
The footballer also shared the approach that step-parents should take when it comes to the task of raising a child.
"I think that when you raising children and you're married... you gotta love every single child as if they're yours. That's been the greatest gift of raising Future, Sienna, Win, and now Amora," he said. "It's like, man, God gave me that opportunity to raise them and to love them and to care for them and teach them and to love them every day that way. And there's no difference. I think, to me, it's the greatest gift."
He continued: "Knowing that that's my responsibility to raise all these four beautiful children all together. And we all come from blended family a lot of times... But to be able to be one, and that's been the best gift raising these kids with Ci."
The "Goodies" singer and Wilson first met in March 2015 at a University of Wisconsin basketball game. One year later, Wilson proposed to Ciara. The pair tied the knot in an England castle on July 6, 2016.
