Russell Wilson faced a tough offseason this year. His NFL future seemed uncertain when he entered free agency. While he had expressed a desire to stay with the Steelers, competition from the younger Justin Fields and possible draft pick Jalen Milroe grew intense. Still, Wilson stayed positive. Why? Because of advice from billionaire Jeff Bezos. Back in February, Wilson shared Bezos’ famous quote on his Instagram story: “You can be grinding for 4 years with no results, and in the 5th year, become the biggest thing on this planet. The power of not giving up is real.” Wilson tagged Bezos in the post, showing how deeply it resonated with him. But Wilson’s connection with Bezos started years ago.

Years ago, when Wilson played for the Seattle Seahawks, he had recalled the best advice Jeff Bezos ever gave him. Wilson once asked Bezos if he had envisioned Amazon’s massive success from the start. Bezos replied, “Did I think it would be exactly like this? Not necessarily. But I think anything can happen.” That’s a powerful mindset, isn’t it? It clearly resonated with Wilson, as he has echoed the billionaire’s words even in recent times. But the Bezos and Russell Wilson have even shared lighter moments – like eating blueberry pancakes together with Wilson’s wife, Ciara. That kind of casual time suggests more than just a business acquaintance. So, when Wilson heard tragic news about the Bezos family, he responded quickly. 

In his latest Instagram story, Wilson shared a tribute to Jeff’s mother, Jackie Bezos, after she passed away. The Giants’ QB reposted a photo from the Bezos Scholars Program, showing Jackie smiling in a lush green garden. Above her image, her name and the years “1946–2025” appeared in bold. Below, Wilson placed three broken-heart emojis and wrote “Praying” in bold letters. It was a heartfelt message. But it also made many wonder – just how deep is Wilson’s connection to the Bezos family?

Back in 2017, the Amazon founder had invested in Russell Wilson’s startup, Trace me, through Bezos Expeditions . But that investment came full circle from an earlier leap of faith. In 1995, Jeff’s mother had invested nearly $250,000 in his tiny online bookstore. Back then, the internet seemed risky. Yet, her gamble paid off – Amazon is now worth over $2 trillion. Think about that for a moment. Without Jackie’s early faith in her son, would Wilson’s own startup have ever caught Jeff Bezos’ attention? Connections really do ripple through time. 

So, Russell Wilson’s public prayer for the Bezos family shows more than sympathy. It’s a sign of mutual respect built over the years, and it showed when Wilson made of the tribute from the Bezos Scholars Program described Jackie’s death as “a quiet final chapter to a life that embodied grit, determination, kindness, and service to others.”

Russell Wilson and the Bezos family mourn the loss of Jackie Bezos

On Aug 15, 2025, the Bezos Family Foundation announced in a heartfelt statement that Jacklyn “Jackie” Bezos died at her Miami home at the age of 78. Jackie had been living with Lewy body dementia since 2020. For five years, she battled the disease with strength. The foundation’s tribute described her journey as remarkable.

As a young single mother, Jackie worked in a bank during the day and took night classes. There, she met a young Cuban immigrant, Miguel “Mike” Bezos, who worked the night shift. They married in April 1968, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love, family, and shared dreams. Jackie’s son, Jeff Bezos, further described her life in a deeply emotional tribute to her on Instagram. 

In his tribute, Jeff wrote, “Her adulthood started a little bit early when she became my mom at the tender age of 17. That couldn’t have been easy, but she made it all work… and then added my sister and brother to her list of people to love, guard, and nourish.” He continued, “After a long fight with Lewy body dementia, she passed away today, surrounded by so many of us who love her — her kids, grandkids, and my dad… I hold her safe in my heart forever.” Reading that, you can feel the depth of his love and gratitude. 

The Bezos family lastly asked that instead of flowers, people support a nonprofit that matters to them or perform an act of kindness in Jackie’s memory. It’s a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to others. From Russel Wilson’s prayers, it was clear that he also admired Jackie for her courage and vision. And in a world where public gestures can feel hollow, this one carried genuine warmth.