The countdown is on for Carolina Panthers fans. This Thursday night, the NFL officially releases its 2026 schedule, and we'll finally know who the Panthers will face this season. But here's one matchup we can already circle on the calendar: the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, are coming to Charlotte.

While the Panthers rookies hit the field for minicamp, there's a local connection making waves in the Pacific Northwest. Channel 9 sports reporter DaShawn Brown recently caught up with former Johnson C. Smith standout Emanuel Wilson, who now carries the ball for Seattle.

"It's a lot of dogs out there in the HBCU world," Wilson said. "Y'all just have to go and get them." The running back spends his offseasons right here in the Queen City, staying sharp and staying connected to his roots.

Wilson's journey to the NFL is the kind of story that reminds us why we love this game. "Once I got to my last year of college and I started seeing all of the NFL scouts come, I had like eight teams come to the school and watch me practice. I was like wow… My dreams are in my hands," he recalled.

After finishing his college career at Fort Valley State—where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns—Wilson signed with Seattle. "When I went up there and signed, everybody showed me nothing but love, so I felt welcome," he said. "I feel like I'm welcome there, and it's also my childhood team."

But the path wasn't always easy. Wilson nearly quit football at just 10 years old after his father was killed. It was his mother who kept him in the game. "She just told me to keep going," he said. From the C Meck Rams in fifth grade, to James Martin Middle School, to North Meck High School, Wilson kept grinding. "I used to come out here all the time and work out so I knew I had a passion for it and I loved it. It's just something to get away from life… even if it's just for two hours, I feel like I'm free."