From Walk-On to Super Bowl Captain: Brady Russell’s Remarkable Climb
BOULDER - If you're looking for a story that captures grit, resilience, and the long road to the top, look no further than Brady Russell. The former Colorado tight end has carved out a role not just on an NFL roster, but as a leader on the sport’s biggest stage. When the Seattle Seahawks take the field in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, Russell will be out front as the team’s special teams captain - his second straight postseason game wearing the “C.”
For Russell, this moment is the culmination of a journey that started far from the NFL spotlight. A Fort Collins native, he played both defensive end and tight end at Fossil Ridge High School. Despite being rated just a two-star recruit, Russell turned down lower division scholarship offers and instead bet on himself, walking on at Colorado in 2017 under then-head coach Mike MacIntyre.
That bet paid off in a big way. Russell made an immediate impression in Boulder, earning the team’s Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year award as a freshman. His work ethic and versatility didn’t go unnoticed - he earned a scholarship after that first season, setting the tone for a college career defined by toughness and team-first play.
Russell’s path to the NFL wasn’t a straight shot either. He went undrafted but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, eventually landing on their practice squad.
That’s when Seattle came calling. The Seahawks saw something in Russell - and he’s rewarded that belief by becoming a key piece of their special teams unit.
And we’re not talking about just showing up on kickoffs. Russell has made his mark across all four core special teams phases - kickoff return and coverage, punt return and coverage - and even contributes on field goal and PAT units. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s one of the reasons he’s earned the trust of the Seahawks’ coaching staff and his teammates.
His impact was on full display during Seattle’s playoff run. In the divisional round against San Francisco, Russell teamed up with linebacker Patrick O’Connell to deliver a perfectly executed cross block that sprung Rashid Shaheed for a touchdown on the opening play. It was one of the defining moments of the postseason - and it came from a guy who once had to fight just to make the scout team.
Now, Russell’s leadership and relentless work ethic have him captaining a Super Bowl-bound squad. Not bad for a former walk-on.
Colorado Connections Run Deep in Super Bowl LX
Russell isn’t the only one with Colorado ties heading to San Francisco.
- Christian Gonzalez, who played two seasons at cornerback for the Buffaloes (2020-21), will be lining up on the opposite sideline for the Patriots. Gonzalez appeared in all 18 games during his CU stint and earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention before transferring to Oregon. Now, he’s a Pro Bowler and one of the rising stars in the AFC.
- Cassidy Davis, a 2023 CU grad in Strategic Communication, once served as a marketing and fan experience intern with CU Athletics. She’s now with the Seahawks full-time as a corporate partnerships coordinator.
- Sophia O'Dell, a 2025 graduate in Marketing, also came through CU’s intern program and is currently working as a marketing intern with the Seahawks.
From the field to the front office, Super Bowl LX has a distinct Colorado flavor. And for Brady Russell, it’s a testament to how far belief, hard work, and a little bit of patience can take you.