Exactly four days after having his blackness called into question, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was finally asked about the subject after Seattle's 13-9 win over Carolina on Sunday.
Wilson was confused by the report, but only because he's not even sure what "not being black enough" even means.
"About me not being black enough, I don't even know what that means," Wilson said. "People were trying to find ways to knock us down and distract us, but there's no doubt we're more together than ever before."
The Seahawks quarterback said the report has actually brought the team closer together.
"We're probably the closest we've ever been," Wilson said. "We keep swinging, and we keep believing in each other and our coaching staff."
On Oct. 22, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman wrote that he felt there were Seahawks players who believed that "Wilson isn't black enough."
"There is also an element of race that needs to be discussed," Freeman wrote. "My feeling on this -- and it's backed up by several interviews with Seahawks players -- is that some of the black players think Wilson isn't black enough."
No one in the Seahawks' locker room seems to believe the report. Cornerback Richard Sherman basically said the story was made up.
"Until someone in this locker actually says something negative [about Wilson], we just take that with a grain of salt," Sherman said. "Anyone can make up anything and say a source said it. I don't think anybody on this team feels that way. We support our quarterback. He fights for us every game."
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas took things a step further, telling MMQB.com's Peter King that whole "black enough" thing is an "insult to our race."
"My reaction [to the Wilson story] is that it's an insult to our race," Thomas said. "And Russell is the ultimate competitor. He always works as hard as anyone, and he handles himself with poise. He represents our team and our organization very well. I don't think there's any problem with him in our locker room at all."
All the "black enough" talk aside, Wilson seems to be comfortable with his place in the Seahawks locker room and with who he is as a person.
"I believe I'm an educated young male that's not perfect but tries to do things right," Wilson said. "I try to lead by example and help others. That's all I focus on, and that's all I know."
