EXCLUSIVE: Russell Wilson on President Obama -- 'I'm trying to learn from him'

MAY 21: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) congratulates Seattle Seahawks players (L-R) Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson, Malcolm Smith (back row) and Doug Baldwin during a ceremony at the White House (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)



SEATTLE --  When Russell Wilson met President Obama in May of this year, he says the President complimented him on his great leadership skills.

But in an exclusive interview with Wilson that aired on Q13 FOX News Thursday night, Wilson said leadership was something he was still trying to work on by watching others.

“I’m trying to learn from him and learn from other people,” said Wilson to Q13FOX Sports Director Aaron Levine.  “I’m a very observational person.”

Wilson said one of the things he notice immediately about the president was how engaging he is.

“With everybody, doesn’t matter who you are,” said Wilson.  “I think that means a lot, especially playing the quarterback position and relating to different team mates that’s how I want to be in that way.”

Wilson said before he visited the White House earlier this year  that he wanted to go one-on-one in basketball with the president.

“Never had that chance, but we talked about it,” said Wilson.  “He talks a big game, so I’m excited about it.”

Wilson also talked about his sister and the "best news I've ever heard" -- and discusses his "best friend" on the Seahawks team.



As the official home of the Seattle Seahawks, Q13FOX has been granted exclusive insider access to the team throughout the season.

Watch part one of our full interview with Russell Wilson here in which he said “winning the Super Bowl has nothing to do with this year.”  You can also find our two part interview with Percy Harvin here and here.