Fans rush to Ciara’s husband Russell Wilson’s defense after Future was mocked for his son’s new job with the Steelers

Russell Wilson’s public declaration of affection for Ciara’s oldest son continues to spark criticism online. The Super Bowl champ and his wife have been together for nearly a decade, but before that, the R&B singer was engaged to his son’s father.

On August 5, Wilson shared an Instagram post with a special message for baby Future Zahir Wilburn, which fans saw as a suspicious dig at the boy’s father, rapper Future.

“I’m so happy! Nothing beats seeing you smile! Our young growing boy is becoming a young man. I’m so proud of you Future! Helping out as a ball boy for @Steelers and working on your own and in the locker room,” Russell Wilson wrote on Instagram, in the caption of a photograph he posted of little Future.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback continued, “Being so dedicated to sports and everything you do! You’re the sunshine of my life. I love you. Keep winning, son! Proud post! Kudos for being you! There’s nothing you can’t do with Jesus on your side! I love you to heaven and back!”

Future Zahir, 10, is the only child of Ciara and artist Nayvadius “Future” Wilburn. The couple began dating in 2012, became engaged in 2013, and welcomed a son in 2014.

After 14 months of engagement, Ciara and Future called off their wedding. The “Goodies” hitmaker began dating NFL quarterback Wilson in 2015, marrying him a 12 months later.

Ciara and Wilson’s relationship has been a subject of conversation for the past decade, with the nine-time Pro Bowler’s role as Future Zahir’s stepfather specifically always sparking online discussions.

For example, in response to Wilson’s latest Instagram post about Ciara’s eldest son, someone on the social media app he reacted“He’s not a stepfather, he’s a father who STEPED FORWARD.”

Another sympathetic commenter wrote, “That’s not his stepdad, that’s his FATHER and that’s it.” Another also declared, “Ciara won the stepdad lottery!”

Russell Wilson’s joyful support for Future Zahir also led social media users to comment that the unrelated skilled athlete and the teenager look lots alike. An Instagram user wrote: “He even looks a bit like Russell now.”

“Russ loves this guy so much, they’re starting to look alike,” one other like-minded person commented.

While Ciara’s husband has received praise for his parenting skills, Future has repeatedly faced accusations of being an “irresponsible father.” In 2015, Ciara even she suggested that her ex-fiancé was a nasty father.

The narrative of Future as an absentee father continues to be a subject of conversation online. One Instagrammer took to Instagram to directly attack the Freebandz record label founder, writing, “The deadbeats and Freeband avengers finna hate in 3 2 1.”

One of Russell Wilson’s supporters stated, “One thing about Russell, he’s not worried about Future… And I like that.” However, critics consider that Russ’s post was an indirect dig at Future’s father. He also criticized Wilson. Two said, “This man is doing too much” and “He’s not your son, man.”

Future has denied being an irresponsible father and insisted he plays a big role in Future Zahir’s life. The Grammy winner and Ciara finally settled their custody case in 2016, with a judge granting them joint custody of their son.

In addition to Future Zahira, Russell Wilson and Ciara have three other children: daughter Sienna Princess, 7, Win Harrison, 4, and 8-month-old Amora Princess. Wilson didn’t have any children before getting together with Ciara.

Meanwhile, her ex-husband Future has eight children with eight different women.