Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson addressed a story that surfaced last week in which teammates reportedly claimed that Wilson "isn't black enough" after the team's comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday.
"About me not being black enough, I don't even know what that means," Wilson said. "People were trying to find ways to knock us down and distract us, but there's no doubt we're more together than ever before.
"We're probably the closest we've ever been. We keep swinging and we keep believing in each other and our coaching staff."
Other players in the Seahawks locker room addressed the report, shooting it down and stating their belief in Wilson.
"Until someone in this locker actually says something negative [about Wilson], we just take that with a grain of salt," cornerback Richard Sherman said. "Anyone can make up anything and say a source said it. I don't think anybody on this team feels that way. We support our quarterback. He fights for us every game."
Receiver Doug Baldwin discussed the team coming together in the wake of back-to-back losses and the stunning trade of receiver Percy Harvin to the New York Jets.
"Everyone in this locker room knows it's been a rough couple of weeks for us," Baldwin said. "Obviously, it was emotional with everything that's been said, so this was a true character win for us. We showed we're committed to each other."
Wilson said he never lost faith that his teammates supported him.
"We're the type of team that when our backs are against the walls, we're going to keep fighting," Wilson said. "It's a huge win because of the fashion we won. To come up big at the end was pretty special, and our locker room was pretty fired up about that."
Wilson also spoke about the type of person he is in relation to the racially-based comments reportedly at the center of this controversy.
"I believe I'm an educated young male that's not perfect, but tries to do things right," Wilson said. "I try to lead by example and help others. That's all I focus on and that's all I know."
The Seahawks will next host the Oakland Raiders this weekend.
