Russell Wilson Earns New Nickname Before Giants Debut

Russell Wilson's New Nickname

Known by many as "Russ" or his social media handle, "DangeRussWilson," Wilson received a new nickname from the NFL ahead of his debut in New York blue.

Wilson arrived to Northwest Stadium wearing a full blue suit with a black tie and sunglasses, prompting the NFL's X account to call him, "Big Blue Russ."

It is also a play on the Giants' team nickname of "Big Blue," and the reference to their fierce Lawrence Taylor-led defense of the 1980s as the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew."

A Pivotal Moment in Russell Wilson's NFL Career

Wilson's start against Washington will mark the 200th regular season game of his NFL career — but his legacy is still being written.

He begins the season with the third-most career passing yards (46,135) of any active quarterback. He trails only his Pittsburgh Steelers replacement, Aaron Rodgers (62,952) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (59,809).

Wilson won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2013 season in just his second year with the Seattle Seahawks, but he has not returned to those heights since. He left Seattle after 10 years hoping to take the Denver Broncos back to the promised land, but his 11-19 record over two seasons inspired the Broncos to pull the plug early after initially giving him a five-year, $242.5 million contract.

If Wilson can help the Giants contend with the Commanders, Dallas Cowboys and defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in a tough NFC East this year, "Big Blue Russ" could make fans forget about his mediocrity in Denver and Pittsburgh in a hurry.

However, if his late-career decline continues, Wilson could find himself in the bad graces of Big Blue Nation and leave his legacy subject to more scrutiny than it already was.