"Russell Wilson says he and girlfriend Ciara aren't having sex, and that has people all abuzz"
When it comes to athletes and sex, fans are naturally curious — especially when they date other very public figures.
In Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and pop singer Ciara you have the perfect mashup to get the Internet buzzing about what they're up to. But Wilson dropped a mini-bomb on Sunday in an appearance at The Rock Church in San Diego when he said, about midway through a lengthy interview, that he and his celebrity girlfriend are remaining abstinent.
Here's how Wilson came upon the story to host and pastor Miles McPherson, a former NFL player:
[quote] “I remember she was on tour, she was traveling. I was looking at her in the mirror. She was in the dressing room getting ready to go before she went on stage, and she was sitting there, and God spoke to me and said, ‘I need you to lead her.’
[quote] "And I was like, ‘Really?’ And he was like, ‘No, I want you to lead her.’ So I told her, ‘What would you do if we took all of that extra stuff off the table and just did it Jesus’ way?’ And she was relieved.'"
Later, when McPherson asked Wilson what he meant by "extra stuff," he said sex. Later, he had a funny line when Wilson said, “I ain’t going to lie to you all now. I need you all to pray for us. I know you’ve seen her on the screen. If there’s a 10, she’s a 15.”
That made the church crowd in attendance laugh. And it made the Internet giggle. Nothing gets the masses' juices flowing like celebrity relationships, and if you mix in strong religious faith and — let's face it — sex, people lose their minds. Either in stauch defense or shocked disbelief, it seems.
That's the risk Wilson and other athletes who proclaim such things are running: They put themselves out there for mockery, and even with the adulation he'll get from the Christian community for this, there also will be odd backlash.
With any pro-religious stance, the question is why people care in the first place. Why should Wilson — and heck, look at Tim Tebow and Lolo Jones — be chided for his faith? All because he doesn't have premarital sex with his girlfriend?
It has been quite a year for Wilson. Guy throws the Super Bowl-ending interception on the goal line. He goes down to spring training (again) and sparks a debate about his looming contract status. Now this Ciara deal, which has people all hot and bothered. What's next?
Tebow struck a strong nerve with his strong religious faith, and Wilson might be entering that territory the more he opens up about his personal life the way he did Sunday. But cheers to a young man who is comfortable in his own skin to admit such a thing when it's easy to keep that to himself. Wilson is outspoken in his faith and he told a very personal story to back it up. That takes guts, and it's not for everyone.
So please, lay off the guy a bit for putting himself out there, will you?
