Russell Wilson’s mother, Tammy Wilson, has responded to criticism directed at her son following comments from a former teammate on a podcast.
Tammy Wilson addressed claims made by Trevone Boykin, a former NFL quarterback, who suggested that Russell Wilson does not spend holidays with family. Boykin shared his experience of a past Thanksgiving at Wilson’s home.
Advice from Russell Wilson’s Mother on His Relationship with Ciara
In a recent “House of Playmakers” podcast, Boykin, who played as a backup quarterback to Wilson in 2016, reflected on their time with the Seattle Seahawks. He described a Thanksgiving at Wilson and Ciara’s home, calling it unusual due to the absence of Wilson’s family.
Boykin remarked, “Coming from a traditional, country Black family, if I had Russell Wilson’s wealth, my family would criticize me if I didn’t invite everyone for Thanksgiving.”
Ex-NFL Quarterback Trevone Boykin Says Thanksgiving At Russell Wilson’s Mansion Felt “Weird” Because None Of His Family Was Around pic.twitter.com/Fr054oaXkS
— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) November 29, 2025
His co-host, Paul Dawson, suggested that Wilson might not be close to his family, but Boykin persisted, stating that it seemed strange not to have family around for Thanksgiving.
As Boykin’s comments gained attention on social media, Tammy Wilson responded in The Shade Room’s comments, expressing her frustration with the narrative.
She clarified that some family members were in Florida for a tournament, and she chose to stay home to fast before the year ended.
I’m glad mama clapped back … because the audacity!!
— Kelsey Nicole Nelson (KNN) (@therealknelson) December 7, 2025
Tammy also addressed Boykin’s past, noting that Russell had invited him despite his criminal history. Boykin was sentenced to three years in prison in 2020 for a domestic violence incident.
She emphasized her son’s forgiving nature, stating, “Russ will forgive, but not again. I hope you felt relevant for a few minutes.”
Boykin and Russell Wilson developed a relationship during their time with the Seahawks in 2016, with Wilson mentoring Boykin as he transitioned into professional football.
Following the backlash, Boykin apologized for his comments, acknowledging that he could have omitted Wilson’s name from the story.
On a December 5 podcast episode, Boykin expressed regret, stating, “I do apologize because they didn’t necessarily deserve it.” He mentioned that Wilson reached out to him, and he intends to respond.
Tammy Wilson’s public response echoes the support she has consistently shown her son. In 2020, on the “Raising Fame” podcast, she recalled advising Russell to embrace his relationship with Ciara fully.
The closeness of their family was evident in 2019 when Russell and Ciara surprised Tammy with a new home for Mother’s Day, highlighting their strong family bond.
