Russell Wilson recently made history as the National Football League’s (NFL) highest paid player. To celebrate this wealth, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback purchased Amazon stock worth $12,000 apiece for 13 of the team’s offensive linesmen, TMZ reports.
The premise behind the gesture is to help set the players on a lucrative path post-NFL. “We all have dreams of what we can build and accomplish off the field,” he wrote in a memo. “One important lesson I have learned thus far in my career: The memories on the field will last forever, but we have to constantly prepare for life after football.”
In the letter that was sent to his teammates, Wilson said he was indecisive on what to give them as a sign of his appreciation for their protection on the field. “Some were flashy, some were cool, but I wanted to give you something that had a lasting impact,” he said. “Something that would affect the lives of you, your family, and your children.” According to CNBC, each linesmen’s stock could be worth $270,000 in the next 10 years if Amazon’s shares continue to result in a return of 2,200 percent.
Earlier this month, Wilson signed a $140 million contract. He’ll suit up with the Seahawks for the next four years. The re-signing follows a previous four-year agreement the 30-year-old athlete made with the team.
