The '1,000 Percent' Quote From Russell Maryland That Tells You Everything About His Rookie Son

Alright, 12s, you gotta hear this. While our Hawks are gearing up, there's a story making the rounds that just melts your heart, especially if you're a parent or just love seeing dreams come true. We're talking NFL royalty, Russell Maryland, the No. 1 pick from way back in the 1991 Draft, a three-time Super Bowl champ, and a guy who even wrapped up his playing days with the Green Bay Packers. But this isn't about him anymore. It's about his son, RJ Maryland, a rookie tight end who just signed with those same Packers after catching some eyes at the Scouting Combine. And let me tell you, Russell is beyond hyped, saying, "I am 100 , 1,000 , percent behind him." That's the kind of support we all wish we had, right?

From NFL Legend to 'Cheerleader Dad'

It's an incredible feeling, Russell shared, just knowing RJ has a shot to follow in his footsteps. "If anybody has a son or a daughter, for that matter, but in this case, the son to make it to the highest level of the professional ranks of the NFL, it’s always a special thing." You can just feel the pride in those words. Russell’s own NFL career ended in 2000, where he started all 16 games for the Packers that final season. But his post-football life? He said it was "just as exciting," transforming into a full-time "cheerleader dad," a "volleyball dad," even a "chauffeur to volleyball and track meets" for his two older daughters, who were track and volleyball athletes and cheerleaders. He didn't care if it was sports

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, music, or anything else, just seeing his kids "take charge of something and really work to be really good at something, it’s rewarding." He added, "And so just to see your kids doing something, making something of themselves, and not having idle time and really working towards being the best at something is really a fun thing." It just shows you the foundation RJ had, watching his dad pour that same passion into all his kids' dreams.

The 10-Minute Daily Grind That Built a Pro

This isn't some overnight success story, either. Russell remembered the daily grind, years of it, starting when RJ was just 6. Mornings waiting for the school bus, they'd get outside for 10 minutes. If it was basketball season, they'd work on dribbling, shooting form right there on the street. Football season? Throwing the ball, catching it. Ten minutes a day, five days a week, that’s an extra 50 minutes of skill work weekly. Think about that commitment! Russell was "just glad, for one, that I had the time as a dad to be able to do that and, for two, that I had the ability to be able to work with my son on something that he absolutely loved, and I loved to see him do." It’s a powerful reminder that behind every player chasing an NFL dream, there's usually an incredible support system and countless hours of unseen work. RJ Maryland is just starting his journey with the Packers, but with that kind of history and "1,000 percent" backing from a Super Bowl legend, you can bet he's going to leave it all out there. Keep an eye on this kid, Emerald City. Stories like this are why we love football.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.