Russell Wilson congratulates Roosevelt students on safety pledge
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SEATTLE -- Some 3,331 people are killed each year because of distracted drivers, according to the U.S. government., and texting makes you 23-times more likely to get in a crash.
To that end, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson challenged Seattle-area teenagers to take a pledge not to text while driving, promising to personally visit the high school that makes the most pledges.
Friday, Wilson made good on his pledge at Roosevelt High School, where they got more than 800 to sign his pledge not to text and drive.
"It's an important thing, and so I'm proud of Roosevelt for stepping up and taking on that challenge," Wilson said.
Wilson got their attention.
"He influences us a lot," said senior Caleb Albright. "I mean, teenagers never want to listen to their parents. So because he said it, it's awesome."
Texting while driving is illegal in Washington. By one account, 23 percent of crashes involve a cell phone -- that's 1.3 million a year.
If Wilson has his way, fewer teenagers -- especially those at Roosevelt -- will be involved.
To that end, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson challenged Seattle-area teenagers to take a pledge not to text while driving, promising to personally visit the high school that makes the most pledges.
Friday, Wilson made good on his pledge at Roosevelt High School, where they got more than 800 to sign his pledge not to text and drive.
"It's an important thing, and so I'm proud of Roosevelt for stepping up and taking on that challenge," Wilson said.
Wilson got their attention.
"He influences us a lot," said senior Caleb Albright. "I mean, teenagers never want to listen to their parents. So because he said it, it's awesome."
Texting while driving is illegal in Washington. By one account, 23 percent of crashes involve a cell phone -- that's 1.3 million a year.
If Wilson has his way, fewer teenagers -- especially those at Roosevelt -- will be involved.
Good for him! Hopefully the parents learned something too, I see plenty of adults texting or even on their Facebook while driving.Â
Look forward to watching Russell for years to come. Â Kid has a head on his shoulders.
Beast.
Russell Wilson is a good role model that kids should look up to. Go Hawks!
Russell is the man!    Go Hawks!!!
Go Hawks!!!
He DOES seem like an AWESOME human being. We are lucky to have someone that we can be so proud of on our team, and a professional athlete that the kids can look up to.....THANK YOU, Russel Wilson!!!!!!!!!
Russel Wilson just seems like a great guy that genuinely cares about and loves his role as a professional football player and mentor. You can tell by the way he talks that he's a kid at heart.Â
Attaboy Russel.............. Keep it up.Â
I hope this make a difference. Thank you RW for helping our youth to understand the dangers of texting and driving.