On Sunday, February 8, the Seattle Seahawks overpowered the New England Patriots in a 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
While Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III was ultimately named the game’s MVP, the Fossil Ridge community had another player in mind.
2017 Fossil graduate Brady Russell was named the Seahawks’ primary special teams captain of this year’s Super Bowl.
“I was super excited for him…I became a Seahawks fan for a day,” said Brian Riedel, a Chemistry teacher at Fossil who coached and taught Russell throughout his middle and high school career.
Outside of his role as captain, Russell helped contribute to the Seahawks’ victory in his position on special teams, racking up 32 special teams snaps and two tackle assists.
Russell also largely contributed to the team with his spirit, and dumped the celebratory Gatorade bath on Seattle Head Coach Mike Macdonald at the end of the fourth quarter.
“Brady was one of the goofiest kids you’d ever come across…as goofy as he was, he was really a hard worker especially when it came to football,” Riedel said.
Although his high school career was full of success, earning titles such as the team’s most valuable player and All-Front Range League honors first and second teams, Russell graduated from Fossil as a two-star recruit with no D1 offers.
His football career didn’t end there, however. At the beginning of his freshman year of college, Russell took a walk-on offer to play for the University of Colorado, Boulder as a tight-end.
That decision paid off, as he finished his time with the Buffaloes with 67 receptions for 799 yards and three touchdowns, along with a long stack of titles and awards, such as the Buffalo Heart Award.
Following his college success, Russell went undrafted and was soon picked up to join the Philadelphia Eagles practice team. After four months, Russell was signed from the Eagles’ practice team to the Seahawks’ roster in 2023.
And just last night, Fossil students and staff watched as Russell became crowned a Super Bowl champion.
“[I think that] hard work goes a long way, [Russell] wasn’t always the most athletic kid but he definitely outworked everybody and was just determined,” Riedel said.