Following the rash of the recent domestic violence scandals that have involved the NFL, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had a few things to say about bullying and domestic violence.
In a moving, here” target=”_blank”>lengthy essay for The Players’ Tribune — a site dedicated to letting athletes sounds off on important issues — Wilson broached the difficult subject. But first, he got candid about his own shortcoming and failures: Wilson used to be a bully himself.
Instead of trying to hide his past, Wilson kicks off the piece with this candid revelation:
I used to beat people up. Truthfully, I used to beat people up a lot. Many of you readers probably think I have been Mr. Goody Two-Shoes my whole life, but honestly, I was a bully growing up. In elementary and middle school, I threw kids against the wall. I rubbed their heads in the dirt at recess. I bit them. I even knocked teeth out.
Related: It’s Time For A Productive Discussion About Domestic Violence
Thankfully, he says he found a way to manage his anger, and channel it into the aggressive game that has now become his career. He knows he’s someone involved in a field that includes a lot of aggression, and Wilson is asking broad questions in his piece:
How do you fix a problem so big and complex? How do you speak about something so damaging and painful to families?
Surely, no one can answer these all at once, but in an effort to begin providing a solution, Wilson has founded a new initiative. It’s called the “Why Not You Foundation.”
The Players Tribune
He explains how he used to shirk taking responsibility for the issue, but now feels compelled to help create change:
I’ve been silent on the issue for too long, falling back on the ‘I can’t speak to someone else’s personal life’ excuse. But victims need physical, emotional and financial support and care, and the resources to get away from their abusers. Abusers, you need to get help—you can change.
Another initiative that he introduces is Pass the Peace, a call to help support victims and give back with a donation of $2 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
You can donate easily now by texting WNYPassThePeace to 41444.
Wilson describes the idea of Pass the Peace as “A promise. I’m sharing my love for you. I want to take care of you. I am here for you.”
He also created a video to address the concept:
The football player penned his piece in light of the fact that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and hopes his new initiative and foundation will help shed light on this difficult subject, and encourage conversations, change and help for both victims and abusers:
This initiative, this story, is about acknowledging something difficult, something we’d rather not see. When I look back at beating kids up on the playground, I don’t like that image. But I moved past that place in my life, and I’m proud of the man I am now.
The more that influential people like Russell Wilson use their power and resources for good, the closer we will be to solving this crisis.
If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, please head to Love Is Respect.
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