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'I have a heavy heart.' Seahawks' Russell Wilson speaks out about George Floyd killing, racism

Ted S. Warren
/
The Associated Press
Seahawks' DeShawn Shead, Russell Wilson, and head coach Pete Carroll link arms during the national anthem before a game on, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Seattle.

Seahawks players are speaking out about the police killing of George Floyd and the protests that have followed. Some of the strongest words have come from quarterback Russell Wilson. It's the topic of this week's conversation between KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel and Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick.

Thiel said he's never seen Russell Wilson the way he was on Wednesday. 

"Wilson said he had a heavy heart and he didn't want to talk about football. I've never heard that from Russell.

"He's always been, as we all know, a fountain of optimism. And there was no optimism here. He was a very injured guy emotionally.

"He talked some about his experiences growing up in Richmond, Virginia. And I could tell from that that he was really torn up because he's been a victim of racism all his life, as have most blacks in America. 

"I thought he was...morose. And I've just never seen that from a guy who is so strong and so convicted about his personal feelings."

You can view Russell Wilson's press conference and read a transcript here.

Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to Sports With Art Thiel with iTunes orGoogle Play now. You can find Art Thiel's work at Sportspress Northwest.

Kirsten Kendrick hosts Morning Edition on KNKX and the sports interview series "Going Deep," talking with folks tied to sports in our region about what drives them — as professionals and people.