For Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, physical fitness is worth the investment — a high-priced one at that.
It’s no secret athletes have to take care of themselves, but Wilson may be an overachiever in that regard. The NFL vet said he pays nearly $1 million a year to take top-notch care of himself.
Wilson, 31, revealed the information on an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” that aired Oct. 15. He said he’s been working with the team for nearly five or six years. “I probably spend a million, if not more a year just on recovery,” Wilson told Simmons. “I have a whole performance team. I got a whole group.”
On that team is a full-time traveling trainer, who also works with Wilson’s wife, Ciara; a full-time physical therapist, a full-time mobile person, a massage person and two chefs, Wilson said.
The XLVIII Super Bowl champion also said he has two hyperbaric chambers — which provide oxygen therapy to aid in healing and help improve sleep — that he uses quite frequently. He also rarely misses a day of working out during the year.
“I get in the hyperbaric, for example, four times a week, three times a week. I get treatment every day. … I do 365 [workout days]. The only time I don’t, I probably do 363,” Wilson said, adding he occasionally takes off Christmas and Thanksgiving, but in many cases doesn’t because they usually have a game.
Simmons told Wilson he’d gone “full LeBron [James]” as it was revealed in 2018 the NBA superstar also spends $1.5 million on his fitness to stay in shape.
Like James, Wilson wants to enjoy a long, successful career. His goal is to play well into his mid-40s.
“I’m trying to play until I’m 45 at least. For me my mentality is that I’m gonna leave it all on the field and do everything I can and take care of myself and that’s such a critical thing, because if I feel good, I’m gonna play good,” Wilson said.
One fan, identified on Twitter as Matt Ernst, said Wilson and James were smart to spend so much on their health.
Ernst wrote, “the most valuable thing Athletes should invest in…. is themselves. There’s a reason Russ is in year 9… and hasn’t missed a single start.. Why LeBron is still at the top of the league in year 17.. invest in your health and you’ll have a long healthy career.”
Also like James, it’s an investment Wilson can afford to make. Last year the award-winning baller signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension.
