Team Russell vs. Team Joel: Game on

July 17, 2015
Stories
Samantha Lund, Staff Writer
5 min read

Squatting Suburbans, benching boats or lifting linebackers, no workout can prepare you for the ultimate challenge: a plane pull.

Update July 28, 2015, 2 p.m.: Team Russell successfully pulled the jet 25 feet in 16.9 seconds, with Team Joel coming in at over a minute. (A second pull by Team Joel actually netted a time of 15.6 seconds, but was unofficial.) All agreed that Strong Against Cancer was the real winner.

Fans cheer during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Russell Wilson poses for a photograph fans during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Cancer survivor Kat Tiscorina gives Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson a high-five during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull to benefit Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Joel McHale pulls the plane during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull competition against Russell Wilson, benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Russell Wilson and Joel McHale pull the plane together during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Russell Wilson cheers his team on after defeating Joel McHale during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Both Russell Wilson and Joel McHale’s teams gather for a group photograph at the conclusion of the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Russell Wilson gives high-fives to fans during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Fans are seen during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden speaks to the crowd during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Joel McHale cheers the crowd during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson, benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Cancer survivor Kat Tiscorina addresses the crowd during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Alaska Airlines contest winner Don Winters high-fives his teammates during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Russell Wilson and Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Joel McHale pulls a plane with his team during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson pulls a plane during the Alaska Airlines Plane Pull with Joel McHale benefiting Strong Against Cancer at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Alaska Airlines’ Chief Football Officer Russell Wilson and actor and comedian Joel McHale are facing off in an epic plane pull to raise money and awareness for Strong Against Cancer, a national initiative dedicated to ending childhood cancer.

Teams of 18 led by Wilson and McHale will compete to see who can physically pull a Boeing 737-800 25 feet in the shortest amount of time. They’re also competing to see which team can raise the most money for Strong Against Cancer.

Strong Against Cancer is a nationwide initiative inspired by the immunotherapy discoveries at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. This initiative is a team effort on the part of hospitals, researchers, doctors, nurses, corporations, organizations and individuals. The captain of the team is Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who learned about immunotherapy during his regular visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Clinical trials for this therapy are now underway and are producing exceptional results in eliminating childhood leukemia. The aim of the Strong Against Cancer team is to create a national philanthropic initiative with worldwide implications for curing childhood cancers through these immunotherapy treatments. For more information or to make a donation, visit strongagainstcancer.org

The teams will face off July 28 in Seattle, in front of an audience of Alaska Airlines’ most loyal customers and guests of Seattle Children’s Hospital. The public can text “TEAMJOEL” or “TEAMRUSSELL” to 501501 to vote for their favorite team and donate $10 to the cause. (Texting charges may be applied by wireless carrier)

Join the Conversation…

Follow along at home with hashtag #AlaskaPlanePull.

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Star quarterback Russell Wilson was named Alaska‘s honorary CFO – Chief Football Officer – in 2013. In 2014, he became captain of Team Strong to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer research.

Wilson came to Seattle in May of 2012 when he joined Seattle’s home football team. In 2014, Wilson led the team to its first ever championship victory and the following season, he led the team to their second consecutive championship appearance.

Want to learn more about Wilson? Check out our employee Q&A with the CFO here.

Wilson is an active volunteer in the Seattle community. Throughout the year, Wilson makes regular visits to Seattle Children’s Hospital to visit patients and their families. During the off-season, he teaches football and life skills to hundreds of kids at multiple football camps across the country at his Passing Academies.

View the roster: Meet Team Russell

Follow Wilson as he preps for the big day at #AlaskaPlanePull, @DangeRussWilson or text “TEAMRUSSELL” to 501501 to donate $10 to Strong Against Cancer and vote for Team Russell.

Joel McHale is one of the busiest actors in the business right now. He recently starred on the hit comedy series “Community,” which sixth season just wrapped on Yahoo. Most recently, he hosted the 2015 ESPYS which was broadcasted live on ABC.

In addition, McHale continues to satirize pop culture and current events each week on E!’s “The Soup.” His quick wit and sharp comedic timing have made the show a pop culture phenomenon. E! also recently picked up an unscripted comedy show from McHale called “The Comment Section,” based on the outrageous social media comments made about the biggest stories each week. McHale performs his stand-up act around the country to sold-out audiences.

Born in Rome and raised in Seattle, McHale was a history major at the University of Washington where he also was a member of their championship football team.

View the roster: Meet Team Joel

Follow McHale’s training and preparation for the pull at #AlaskaPlanePull, @joelmchale or text “TEAMJOEL” to 501501 to donate $10 to Strong Against Cancer and cheer on Team Joel.

divider A Boeing 737 800 (with seats) weighs about 92,000 pounds, let’s break that down:

That’s approximately 29 Toyota Camrys weighing 3,190 pounds, 534 people with the average weight of 177 pounds or 308 linemen with the average weight of 305 pounds.

With all that weight, how do you train for a plane pull?

1. Start Small

Maybe just the engine? They only weigh between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds.

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2. Eyes on the prize

Remember why you’re pulling and working so hard: to support cancer research. Keeping your mind on the good you’re doing might just give you the extra strength to make it the last few feet.

3. Practice, practice practice!

Comments

Julie johnson says:

July 28, 2015 at 8:08 pm

I want to say how much fun it was to meet everyone on the pull, and how grateful that I was able to participate in my small way. What a great thing for Alaska Airlines to do! And with our fabulous quarterback Russell Wilson, and Joel McHale, a True crackup, how could it be anything but fabulous! More importantly, it was for a cause that couldn’t be more worthwhile! Shane Johnson – this was for YOU and John, & Shauna and everyone else who lost their battle and those who are still fighting!
1. Halley Knigge, Staff Writer says:
  
  July 29, 2015 at 9:36 am
  
  Julie, on behalf of the whole team here at Alaska, thank YOU for being a part of it!
J says:

July 22, 2015 at 9:26 am

Recently traveled w Alaska Airlines. The service was great. I was wondering if anyone knows the song they’re playing on the plane after landing. All I remember was that it was a really good song sung by a male voice. Many thanks in advance
1. Halley Knigge, Staff Writer says:
  
  July 22, 2015 at 11:42 am
  
  Hi J – there are a few songs it could be, but without knowing more details this is about as far as we can boil it down.
  
  Songs with male vocals on flights from April to June:
  “All We Are” – Matt Nathanson
  “Random Chance” – Larry Pattis
  “Stay Young Go Dancing” – Death Cab for Cutie
  “Down By the Sally Gardens” – David Nevue
  
  Songs with male vocals on flights from July to September:
  “Build Something With Me” – Brown and Root
  “The Acrobat” – Matt Brown
  “Worse for the Wear (Instrumental)” – Vetiver
  “Sing Again” – Chris Walla
  “Wilder Mind” – Mumford & Sons
  “Beautiful Day” – Josh Radin feat. Sheryl Crow
  
  I hope this is helpful – let me know if your travel was earlier than April and we can pull some more. And, I’d love to hear which song it was that you enjoyed so much when you figure it out!