Instagram/@dangerusswilsonSay what you want, but Wilson took to Instagram to celebrate his fitness coach in a touching tribute on Father’s Day. The Denver Broncos quarterback called Manuel “the definition of a Good Man” while describing him as a fantastic dad to little girls whose names remain hidden. He poured out gratitude in his caption, finishing it with a few hashtags about being a #GirlDad, as if Manuel is a dad to girls.
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The moving post immediately received love from fans and brands alike. Goodman’s Brand, Wilson’s socially conscious clothing label, commented, welcoming Manuel to the “fam.” More wishes came through from the Why Not You Foundation, a philanthropic arm co-founded by Wilson and his wife Ciara. The most personal was from a physical therapist recalling how, despite Wilson’s team change, he “made her son’s year” during Steelers training camp: “class act Russ!”
One user-lurker had dubbed Wilson as “excited to be a new dad to Vanessa Bryant’s baby,” and was said to be “crazy” by the rest of his colleagues, also pointing out how he constantly changes his username. One of those weird clashing comments said this post “sounded gay,” after which most people simply ignored this unproductive opinion.
Most comments were anchored in reflections on fatherhood, while Wilson was also praised personally in a few. Featuring his trainer in lieu of presiding over a generic waterfalled-curved-of-Tilly-Day postings offered a touch of personality to the vast spectrum of this type of tribute. The grazie served as an indirect commercial for Goodman Brand – Wilson has always said that he started the company to “lift people up” while looking good, tying that in with his “Good Man” image of Manuel.
By the way, that video transcript of Wilson sheds some more light on the faith and service bent of his brand. His genuine enthusiasm – shouting “Let’s go baby” and “Yes sir!” – could have meant for either his enterprise or celebrating those engaged around him. He frequently uses his platform to lift others, either through initiatives like Goodman Brand or in little acts such as this trainer-celebration post.
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Some of the responses, meanwhile, jumped off into spammy donation links and wild conspiracy theories. Most, however, gave resonance to this genuine post. His talent of weaving private moments into his larger acts – whether in football, business, or philanthropy – keeps members of his audience attached. The specific tribute this past Father’s Day honored both Manuel’s fatherhood and the values Wilson stands for through Goodman Brand.
