Russell Wilson shares experiences with racism

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson spoke passionately about race relations in America right now during a video conference call with reporters on Wednesday.

"When you think about the idea of Black Lives Matter, they do matter," Wilson said, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "The reality is that me as a black person, people are getting murdered on the street, people are getting shot down, and the understanding that it's not like that for every other race."

Wilson revealed that his great-great-grandparents were slaves, and he was raised to understand that racism is real. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Wilson's father instructed him to never put his hands in his pockets when exiting his car at gas stations.

"And the fact that my dad even had to tell me that is a problem," he said. "And going to the grocery store, the assumption that somebody may accuse you of stealing or something like that is a terrifying thought."

Wilson said his thoughts are with the black community as the death of George Floyd while in police custody last week fuels protests nationwide.

"I think about my stepson, I think about my daughter, I think about our new baby boy on the way, and it's staggering to watch these things happen in front of our faces, so I have a heavy heart right now," Wilson said.