Russell Wilson has compared himself to Jesus – and claims he had a conversation with God – in recalling his decision to raise stepson Future Zahir with now-wife Ciara when the couple first started dating.

While the Broncos quarterback and the singer have since had three children together, Ciara also has a son from a previous relationship with rapper Future.

And while speaking on the I AM ATHLETE podcast, Wilson has claimed that God told him it was his ‘responsibility’ to raise Future Zahir – who was a baby when he and Ciara met in 2015.

‘When I walked in the room and I saw, you know, little Future – he’s nine months at the time or whatever – he crawls in my lap and it was like, you know, this is going to be my responsibility,’ Wilson began.

‘I remember leaving that night and God said, saying to me, ‘Raising this child it’s going to be your responsibility.’ I prayed to God, asking ‘Are you sure this is what you want me to do?’ He said, ‘Son, this is for you.”

Future Zahir Wilburn, Russell Wilson, Sienna Princess Wilson, and singer Ciara on February 13

Wilson, seen with his family, signed a massive contract extension with the Broncos in 2022

The quarterback continued, ‘Even Jesus himself, like Joseph, he was a stepdad. I was like, ‘Okay.’ He wasn’t biologically his. So okay God, you’re going to give me this opportunity to love the way that you were loved, the love that you want us to love.’

Wilson and Ciara got married in 2016 and have since welcomed three more children.

Sienna Princess was born in 2017, Win Harrison was born in 2020 and daughter Amora Princess was born in December 2023.

Future Zahir is the oldest of the bunch at nine years old.

Wilson, Future Zahir, Sienna Princess and Ciara pose backstage at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2018

Ciara and Wilson arriving on the red carpet at the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards

Of the decision to raise a stepchild, Wilson added that it was, ‘Not scary, but it was also an opportunity. Like, ‘Okay God, this is what you want me to do?’ Stepping in to raise a child with [Ciara] and realizing that, ‘Okay God, I know she’s the one for me.’ But also too, I’m gonna take this responsibility as well.’

Ciara’s form-fitting, brown latex dress at last week’s Screen Actors Guild Awards elicited a very racy comment from her husband Wilson.

Wilson signed a five-year, $242 million extension with the Broncos in 2022 following his trade from the Seahawks, but may have played his last game in Denver after missing the playoffs for a second straight season.

However, Wilson has said that he hopes to return to the Broncos in 2024, as reported by the AP.