Yahoo Sports Russell Wilson reveals longtime mental coach, best friend Trevor Moawad died after cancer battle
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson revealed on Thursday that his longtime mental-conditioning coach and best friend Trevor Moawad died earlier this week after suffering from cancer.
Moawad, who met Wilson nearly a decade ago, was 48.
"When I think about my relationship with Trevor, I think about a man who was humble, I think about a man who always served, who always gave back, who was always dedicated to working and helping everyone," Wilson said, via ESPN. "And everybody he helped, it seemed that they always got better."
My heart is heavy today…
I will forever miss you @TrevorMoawad https://t.co/tjxdWrSPTf— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) September 16, 2021
Moawad suffered from cancer for the past two years.
“He hid it in the sense that he just didn’t want to affect other people,” Wilson said, via ESPN. “He didn’t want to make people feel bad for him or sorry for him, and I told him, ‘Trevor, man, people love you.’”
Moawad helped Wilson get over Super Bowl XLIX loss
Wilson first met Moawad while he was training for the NFL draft at IMG Academy in Florida in 2012. Moawad was the director of performance at the school, and started working with him regularly — while putting an extra focus on his mental conditioning.
That came in handy, Wilson said, after Super Bowl XLIX.
The Seahawks fell in that game, of course, after Wilson was intercepted at the goal line by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler — a play that has gone down in infamy and constantly caused fans to wonder why Seattle didn’t run the ball instead, considering it was only second down at the 1-yard line.
Wilson spent the next month living in his Southern California home and had Moawad move in with him to help him get through and past the moment.
"From that moment [meeting him at IMG], ever since, he's been my best friend," Wilson said, via ESPN. "We spent so much time together through the highest, highest, highest of the highest moments to some of the lowest moments. To the moments of winning the Super Bowl, to the moment of not winning it, unfortunately. He's always been there for me. He's a guy who always gave me perspective and gave me knowledge and insight."
Wilson, who kicked off his 10th season in the league last week, will lead Seattle against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns in their win over the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener.
"Last thing I'll say is that, Trev, I thank you. I thank you,” he said, via ESPN. “I wish I could talk to you again. But I'll see you again. See you again. The best is ahead."
