AP

For all the coverage the NFL receives, one of the realities of the sport is that we truly don’t know the individuals participating in front of us.

And many times, they prove to be as human as the rest of us.

The Seahawks released a statement today saying that quarterback Russell Wilson was getting divorced.

“I have made the difficult decision to file for divorce,” it read. “Clearly, decisions like these don’t come easy. Ashton and I respectfully ask for prayers, understanding and privacy during this difficult time. Moving forward, I will have no further comment on this personal matter.”

Given Wilson’s popularity, word would have eventually gotten out, via the avenues that pursue celebrity relationships. Announcing it via the team seems an unusual step, since many other players get divorced every year.

Otherwise, we’ll respect Wilson’s wishes, which we’d have done if he hadn’t announced it.