Just days after Wilson and the Steelers were eliminated from Super Bowl contention, the quarterback and his wife, Ciara, announced that their Great Dane had passed away.

Ciara and Russell Wilson shared a heartbreaking update on Thursday as they revealed they are mourning a sad family loss. The couple took to their respective Instagram accounts to pay tribute to their beloved dog Prince, who died aged 12. The Great Dane had been with Russell since he was a rookie NFL star and overcame cancer twice.

Ciara and her husband, Russell Wilson, announced a devastating loss for their family in heartbroken posts on social media this week.

Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara said goodbye to their 12-year-old dog on Thursday. Wilson made the announcement on Facebook and said they were saying goodbye to their dog, Prince. Prince had survived cancer two times. Wilson said most dogs who have cancer only live for six years.

Wilson took to Instagram to share the crushing news of the loss of the couple’s 12-year-old Great Dane, Prince, with a touching message as well.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson says Prince, the dog that has been with him since his rookie year, has died. Wilson posted on social media Thursday saying goodbye to his 12-year-old dog.

With the high stakes and copious amounts of money at play, sometimes people forget that athletes are real people with ups and downs just like everyone else. Russell Wilson, for example, has been highly scrutinized for his play as of late.

Steelers soon-to-be free agent Russell Wilson and his family are dealing with a heavy loss. Wilson’s dog “Prince” has died at the age of 12.