RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- They turned heads with their respective talents on the field at Collegiate and Varina High School.
Now teammates Russell Wilson and Michael Robinson, who share Henrico roots, are stepping into the national spotlight. The crowds at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey will no doubt be rocking Sunday night, but the loudest cheers just might come from inside the halls of the Virginia players' alma maters.
Collegiate students are over-the-moon excited about one of their own leading his Seattle team in the Super Bowl Sunday night.
“It is great having him two years in a row go into the playoffs,” says 10-year-old Henry Haskell. “Not all schools have a player in the NFL.”
Wilson played for the Collegiate varsity squad from 2004 to 2006. Those who know the Seattle QB say he was a role model both on and off the field.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our Russell Wilson,” says Aster Kidane.
Collegiate students aren’t the only locals with vested interest in the Seahawks. Across Henrico County at Varina High School all eyes will be fixed on 2001 graduate and Seattle fullback Michael Robinson.
Cheerleaders riled up students with an original Seahawks cheer while the student body signs a banner wishing Robinson luck from afar.
“He takes great pride where he came from and reminds people that he is a Varina Blue Devil,” says Varina football coach Stu Brown who coached Robinson.
Back at Collegiate they say the world is discovering what they always knew about Russell Wilson. Wilson’s former head coach Charlie McFall, says Wilson could not make him more proud.
“What every one that would want their son to grow up to be,” says McFall. “To see him on the stage he is on now is like ‘Wow!’”
The young students at Collegiate collected dozens of toys and games which they will be donating to the Children’s Hospital here in Richmond. Students and faculty were wearing “Roar for Russell” t-shirts. The school is selling hundreds of the shirts.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Seattle Children’s Hospital. It is a place that Russell Wilson visits every Tuesday to cheer up the patients.
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