Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson mourned the death of Trevor Moawad on Thursday, who died of cancer at the age of 48. Trevor and Russell have been close friends since 2012 when Wilson was training at IMG Academy ahead of his NFL draft.

When asked about Moawad in his weekly news conference, Russell gave a pause and admitted that the subject may be tough for him to talk about. Wilson, regarding their initial meeting at the IMG Stadium, said, “From that moment, ever since, he’s been my best friend.”

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Russell Wilson gets emotional talking about Trevor Moawad

“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. “And everybody he helped, it seemed that they always got better.”

Moawad was a great soul, and losing a person like him is never easy for the people around him. Wilson later opened up and talked for 8 minutes straight about his deceased friend. Both spent so much time together, through their highest of highs and lowest of lows. From the moments of winning the Super Bowl to the point where they lost against the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLIX.

Wilson often emphasizes the importance of “neutral thinking,” which was proposed by Moawad and has been one of the most significant things that he practices even to this day.

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Battled with cancer like a King

Both the friends were among the co-founders of a business coaching consultancy firm called ‘Limitless Minds’. The company last night tweeted a statement that read, “Over the past two years Trevor Maowad quietly and courageously battled cancer with grace and strength.”

“He hid it in the sense that he just didn’t want to affect other people,” the Seahawks quarterback said. “He didn’t want to make people feel bad for him or sorry for him, and I told him, ‘Trevor, man, people love you.‘”

Concluding with the conference, Wilson added hesitantly, “Last thing I’ll say is that, Trev, I thank you. I thank you. I wish I could talk to you again. But I’ll see you again. See you again. The best is ahead.”

He was a mental-conditioning coach who himself battled with cancer. The community of football has lost a great soul and an equally noble person.

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