The Wolfpacker

90 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE D enver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving saw Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson for the first time since the two squared off in Super Bowl XLVIII at NC State's annual Kay Yow Spring Game April 12. He admitted he had still not forgiven his former co-captain and wasn't very talkative when he saw Wilson, who became the third- youngest field general to win a Super Bowl with Seattle's 43-8 victory Feb. 5. "I said 'hey' to him, and that's it," Irving said. "I'm still not over that one yet. I'm a sore loser." Wilson was in town to have his jersey honored and see his name go up on the wall of Carter-Finley Stadium. In typical Wilson fashion, he revealed that being commemo- rated among the program's legends was a lofty goal he set long before anybody thought it could become a reality. Much like he always does, the former two-star recruit eventually prevailed. "I remember coming down to NC State and seeing all the jerseys in the stadium," he said. "I'll never forget I was there with my brother and my dad, and I told them my goal was to be the next quarterback up on that wall. "So to be where I am today is truly spe- cial. I love NC State. It's been a great op- portunity for me to go here and graduate from here." Irving and Wilson squared off once again as honorary coaches in the Wolfpack's in- augural alumni flag football game, which was held before the spring game, but they were just two from a huge turnout of for- mer players for the weekend, which also included a former players' reunion on April 11. Several other current NFL players were on hand, including Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams and Seattle Seahawks offensive guard J.R. Sweezy. Williams and Sweezy also served as coaches in the alumni game, which included the likes of former stars Koren Robinson, T.A. McLen- don and Tremayne Stephens, among many others. Irving, Wilson and Sweezy were all honored during the main event for repre- senting NCSU in the Super Bowl, while Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka — who also played in the game — could not make the event due to a prior commitment. Hauschka re-signed with the Seahawks this offseason after the Professional Foot- ball Writers of America named him to the All-NFC team last fall. Meanwhile, Sweezy — who played on the defensive line during his time in Raleigh — has be- come a rock on the offensive line for the Seahawks and started 15 regular-season games and every playoff contest. "J.R. Sweezy is going to be a Hall of Famer, I really believe that," Wilson said. "I'm being serious even though I laugh and smirk when I say that, because I think about a guy who played defense his whole life and transitioned over to the offensive side of the ball and he's protecting me. He's as good as it gets. "He transitioned so well, he's a very intelligent guy. He loves to work, he's got great feet, great hands and he's very strong, too. He just has this certain level of grit that's very rare to find. I know when oppo- nents play him, they truly believe he's one of the best guards there is. He's still learn- ing —that's the great part about it — and I'm still learning, too." Williams was in attendance and spoke with the media, but did not have his jersey honored — although it has been announced that ceremony will happen at a game this fall when his schedule allows. NCSU play- ers who wear Wilson's No. 16 or Williams' No. 9 from this point on will have a special Russell Wilson had his No. 16 jersey honored and saw his name go up on the wall of Carter-Finley Stadium during the Kay Yow Spring Game April 12. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ PACK PROS Wolfpack Honors NFL Stars At Spring Game 90,92.Pack Pros.indd 90 4/29/14 4:11 PM

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