NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Former Norfolk State University president and grandfather of NFL star Russell Wilson has died.
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback remembered his 94-year-old grandfather Dr. Harrison B. Wilson on Instagram , describing him as an educator and mentor. Wilson posted: "Going to miss you Grandpa."
News outlets report the elder Wilson was the grandson of a former slave, who instilled the idea of education in his 15 children. Wilson was a star athlete at Kentucky State University and received his master's and doctorate from Indiana University.
Wilson was Norfolk president from 1975 to 1997, helping the school flourish academically and athletically.