During Seattle's first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, Seahawks fullback Brady Russell didn't finish the game. No, it wasn't anything football related, but it was because his wife, Annie, went into labor.
The Hard Knocks crew was in Seattle's locker room during halftime and captured the moment that Russell had to leave.
"Saturday was cool. It was eventful," he said. "The night before we thought she was in labor having contractions and stuff. It was like, 'I don't know if I'm going to be at the game, don't know if I'm going to have to be home.' Then contractions held off, so I was like, 'Alright,' and she was like, 'Go play. Go have fun.' I went and at halftime I checked and she was having contractions again, so I was like, 'I better hit the road.'"
Russell said he coordinated with the Seahawks security staff to have a car and to make sure his wife could contact him if needed.
In the latest episode of HBO's Hard Knocks his teammates could be seen giving him fist bumps and showing their support before he left.
"They were all pumped up for me," Russell said. "It's such a unique thing because I'm like, 'Holy cow. I'm about to go have a kid,' and freaking out in my head, trying to get ready to get in the car. For everybody to come show me some love was very sweet of them."
While his baby Hadley is less than a week old, his view on how he approaches football has shifted a bit already.
"Just the perspective of how when I got into the NFL I was just a single dude that's out there having fun, playing ball, but it really does turn into a provision for your family. It's pretty cool being able to feel like I'm actually making a difference in someone's life just by going out and executing plays."
Already a proven playmaker on special teams, Russell has the opportunity to go out and make a difference on the offensive side of the ball. With fullback Robbie Ouzts being placed on injured reserve this month, Russell remains a top option at that position.
After making the switch from tight end to fullback last season, he said he feels "more comfortable" in that position this year.
"Just understanding what it looks like to play that position under my belt," he said. "So things feel a lot, I don't know if easier is the right word, but my mental process pre-snap is a lot smoother this year and understanding what the defense is showing me and what I need to do on that play."
Although he made the switch, he said he does want to be able to do what it takes to play both positions if needed.
"Probably the biggest thing I pride myself on is multiplicity. So I want to be able to do everything a tight end does and everything a fullback does. And I want to prove that I'm capable of that too because it is a lot of responsibility."
And everything he's seen so far from offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's offense should allow just that.
"Everybody's giving their best shot to try to like, 'I want to prove that we move the ball best in base.' I'm sure the receivers want to prove that we move the ball best in 11 personnel and tight ends want 12 personnel. Some of us want 13 personnel, 14 personnel. It's just fun competing with everybody and trying to prove that you're the guy that should be one of the best 11 on the field."
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, August 18 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jalan Gaines (47) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Power Echols (46) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Jordan Washington (33) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) and safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
