Russell Wilson's future with the Seattle Seahawks is currently less than certain, as the quarterback has reportedly listed four franchises where he'd like to end up if he were to be traded from the team he's spent his whole career with -- though it's worth noting he has not officially demanded a trade. Among those teams is the New Orleans Saints, a city where the mayor has already done her part to try and persuade the Super Bowl-winning quarterback to make his way to the Big Easy with Drew Brees expected to retire.
In a video posted Saturday, New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell began her pitch with a quick twirl of a Saints-themed parasol to the tune of "Level Up" by Ciara, Wilson's wife, and then proclaimed that the city would be a perfect place for not only football reasons, but also for familial ones.
I have been hearing the rumors on the streets. 👀 I don't know if they are true or not. But, I just want @dangerusswilson & @ciara to know that if these rumors are true. Please know that the City of New Orleans will welcome you and your family with open arms! #nola #whodat pic.twitter.com/yE1MJYssLS
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) February 27, 2021
The pitch itself naturally included Super Bowl aspirations for Wilson, and a promise of main stage presence at Essence Festival -- the largest Black culture and music event in the country -- for Ciara.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan didn't appreciate the pitch, however, and tweeted out her own message:
I love you Mayor, but keep your eyes off @DangeRussWilson. His home is Seattle. #GoHawks
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) February 28, 2021
And so you know, Seattle is in the market for a @NBA team. Don't make me go there. https://t.co/degqE61pJJ
The last time the Seahawks faced the Saints in the postseason was Jan. 11, 2014 in the Divisional Round on the way to Seattle's first Super Bowl title. That was just two years into Cantrell's tenure as a councilwoman, and a whole four years before she became mayor. In fact, it is the only time the two teams squared off in the playoffs during her time as an elected city official.
With a quarterback as talented as Wilson, it should come as no surprise that this isn't the only recruiting effort that has been made so far -- though it's the first major one from a notable government official. Bears players have also tried to grab Wilson's attention ever since it came out that Chicago was one of the quarterback's preferred destinations.
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