Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson only manages to make his reputation worse with his latest athletic stunt during the team’s flight to London.
Russell Wilson does not have the Broncos offense down, nor has he mastered the playbook — especially on one-yard line calls.
But what Wilson has turned into a science is his ability to shamelessly brand in the cringiest manner possible. For those who guffawed at Wilson running through imaginary motions during his finger injury last year, behold Wilson’s latest performative stunt as the team flew to London.
Of course the Broncos found their way into a massively promoted game, with Denver taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 30. To ensure that he was fully prepared for the game, Wilson made sure he was “ready to rock” by stretching and doing high knees… for half of the duration of the flight.
Russell Wilson's full quote to media after Wednesday's practice talking about his plane ride from Denver to London pic.twitter.com/CUtW3agQVA
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 26, 2022
DNVR Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens shared the transcript of Wilson’s response to reporters concerning the flight to London.
NFL Twitter flames Russell Wilson for being way too amped during flight to London
As with everything else Wilson has done in recent memory, his latest stunt instantly brought out the best memes around. Fans imagined what Wilson’s mid-flight workout must have looked like, and no description was too fantastical.
Russell Wilson in the aisle while his teammates are sleeping on the flight to London pic.twitter.com/3OGRceeZAl
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 26, 2022
Russell Wilson in the aisle on his flight to London: pic.twitter.com/noRJbDqUEb
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) October 26, 2022
Russell Wilson running up and down the aisle on the team flight to London pic.twitter.com/BktEhx323x
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) October 26, 2022
Russell Wilson when the Broncos plane landed in London pic.twitter.com/HuNjQNfhjg
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 26, 2022
Nathaniel Hackett waking up to see Russell Wilson doing high knees pic.twitter.com/gGTF43t9dU
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) October 26, 2022
Russell Wilson on the flight to Londonpic.twitter.com/bc47DUZtD0
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 26, 2022
Russell Wilson while everyone is asleep on the plane
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) October 26, 2022
pic.twitter.com/RsKNs243Uv
Wilson may have wanted his flight prep to be worked effortlessly into his Broncos rebrand, but those in NFL media weren’t so easily misled.
This man does himself so few favors. Just keep it to yourself man. Have a modicum of self awareness. https://t.co/feKKqAGly3
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) October 26, 2022
Perhaps when Wilson comes back stateside, he can swap workout tips with Jameis Winston, who has also been ridiculed online for his bizarre workout regimens.
It’s been a rough year for the 2022 Broncos, one that reads like an “SNL skit“, as The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar aptly put it. It will already be a challenge to compete with the Jaguars’ London popularity and their Union Jax fan club, so Wilson’s eagerness to redeem himself should be more directed at quietly preparing than fighting jet lag down the aisle.