Seahawks QB Russell Wilson named 19th-most stylish by SI’s 2017 Fashionable 50 List
By Ben Renner
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson appeared in Sports Illustrated’s 2017 Fashionable 50 List this year, a strangely low ranking.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has built his individual brand over the past few years. Since winning Pete Carroll’s heart and earning the keys to the franchise as a rookie in 2012’s Training Camp, the Legend of Wilson has built on itself.
Wilson’s success and winning ways for the Seahawks on the field earned him a prominent place among football fans. Then, his sexless engagement to R&B queen Ciara endeared the Wilson brand name to music fans and general celebrity status.
Weaving his own storyline into the real-life hip-hop drama between Ciara and Future, the Seahawks quarterback, despite his cornball smile and constant echoing of Carroll’s ‘rah rah’ mentality, placed himself in the pantheon of current American heroes.
And further proof of Wilson’s arrival into the American celebrity zeitgeist is his feature in SI’s 2017 Fashionable 50 List, a power ranking of athletes across all sports by their fashion sense. Zombie Sonics point guard and reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook was unsurprisingly crowned 2017 Fashion King this year.
Russell Wilson was ranked 19th, not an ignoble ranking for the 28-year-old quarterback, but a few of the names he’s ranked behind had me scratching my head.
I freely admit that I know nothing about fashion, but check out how this guy fits a tux:
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And the hair? Come on. Yet Wilson is ranked behind Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in fashion, which is my main beef.
Wilson being ranked behind NFL trend-setter and serial hat-wearer Cam Newton is fine, but how has Harper distinguished himself in the fashion game beyond the occasional hair flip?
Compare the blurb written for Harper in the list with Wilson’s blurb:
"Harper’s hair might be his distinguishing look, but don’t sleep on his style. The 24-year-old usually keeps it casual, but when he does dress up, his choices are clean and simple, and his suits are always well tailored."
Wilson:
"With his wife Ciara by his side, Wilson has become a staple on red carpets and fashion events and he’s usually sporting a perfectly tailored, dark-toned suit with subtle design details and patterns. His off-duty style is typically a laidback layered look, always complemented with a solid pair of shades."
“Subtle design details” sounds more sophisticated and fashionable than “usually keeps it casual,” and “clean and simple.” I mean, give me Harper’s clothes shopping budget and even I could look “clean and simple” and I always keep my look casual. Then again, I have a threadbare background in fashion.
Next: Seahawks Ranked Second in ESPN's Future Rankings
Considering how much the Seahawks quarterback of the future gets snickered at for his God-first attitude and endless fountain of positivity that borders on obnoxious, I’d say his ranking is pretty good, all things considered.