Tate has maintained his innocence through the years.
Highlights
- Golden Tate consistently denied the rumors of an affair with Russell Wilson’s ex-wife, Ashton Meem, which allegedly led to Wilson’s divorce and Tate’s departure from the Seahawks.
- Tate expressed his frustration over the lack of public defense from Wilson and the impact of the rumors on his reputation, feeling like a scapegoat for years.
- Despite the rumors, Tate maintained that his wife, Elise, and Ashton Meem remained close friends, and Ashton even attended Tate’s wedding.
- Wilson is currently married to American singer and songwriter, Ciara, with whom he has three children, not including Ciara’s son from her past relationship with rapper Future.
- Golden Tate married Elise Pollard Tate in 2017. They have three children.
In 2014, the NFL community was abuzz with rumors alleging that wide receiver Golden Tate was involved in an affair with Ashton Meem, the then-wife of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
These speculations suggested that such an affair led to Wilson’s divorce and Tate’s departure from the Seahawks for the Detroit Lions in 2014.
Golden Tate left the Seahawks after Russell Wilson's wife cheated on him with Tate which led to Wilson's divorce and Tate leaving Seattle pic.twitter.com/wprEbaH3K5
— George Jarjour (@GeorgeOnTap) November 9, 2023
The Rumors Began In 2014 Amid Wilson’s Divorce News
The rumors started in 2014 amid news that Wilson filed for divorce from Meem.
The fans and the media were quick to come up with speculations, suggesting that the alleged infidelity was to blame for Wilson’s divorce and that the scandal had created locker-room tensions between the two Seahawks.
However, Tate has consistently denied these allegations.
In a 2015 interview, he said,
I did not have an affair with Russell Wilson’s wife, nor did I have anything to do with his divorce. That is laughable for anyone who knows us. His ex-wife, Ashton, is still best friends with my girlfriend. Russell and I were good friends when I was in Seattle, on and off the field — he knows the rumors about me were unfounded, damaging to my reputation, and an attack on my character.
Medium
Tate Expressed Bitterness About How The Scandal Was Handled
In 2023, Tate expressed his lingering frustration over the affair rumors.
In a podcast with former teammate KJ Wright, Tate reiterated that the rumors were completely false and expressed his disappointment that Wilson did not publicly defend him at the time.
KJ Wright says former Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has a lot of apologizes to make to people in the football world…
— Seattle ON Tap (@SeattleONTap) July 17, 2023
One being Golden State who had allegations of sleeping with his ex wife…. pic.twitter.com/frjTlOzQNR
Tate mentioned that he felt like a scapegoat and was bitter for years due to the lack of support and the rumors’ impact on his reputation.
He said on the podcast,
There was a rumor out there that I was not coming back to the Seahawks because Ashton, Russell’s wife at the time, had an affair with me which was completely not true. In fact, my wife now (Elise Tate) and Ashton were best friends and still are really good friends. In fact, Ashton came to our wedding.
Sportskeeda
He added,
Russell and I had had conversations about his future in regards to that. So when I heard that, I was like that’s kinda creative and kinda funny but it picked up stream, and I feel like I was never defended properly.
Sportskeeda
It kind of made me angry because now, everyone’s just coming at me completely sideways and I’m not being defended. It was a whole big situation and I just felt like a scapegoat in a way. I was bitter for years, y’all. Years.
Wilson And Ashton Were High School Sweethearts
Russell Wilson and Ashton Meem were high school sweethearts who married in 2012.
Their relationship was highly publicized, especially as Wilson’s NFL career ascended.
Russell Wilson and Ashton Meem
— Jose Hilario (@LukeSkywalkerq) November 13, 2021
were high school sweethearts. The two started dating in 2006 while attending school in Richmond, Virgina, and married in 2012. They divorced 2014, with rumors swirling that…
Wilson is now in a seemingly happy relationship with R&B singer Ciara. pic.twitter.com/F9GuSG565u
In April 2014, Wilson filed for divorce, stating,
“I have made the difficult decision to file for divorce,” the statement read. “Clearly, decisions like these don’t come easy. Ashton and I respectfully ask for prayers, understanding and privacy during this difficult time. Moving forward, I will have no further comment on this personal matter.
ESPN
The childless couple’s separation was finalized later that year, with both parties refraining from public discussions about the reasons behind their split.
Russell Is Currently Married To Ciara
Following his divorce from Meem, Russell Wilson began dating singer Ciara in early 2015.
The couple became engaged in March 2016 and married in July of the same year.
They have three children together: Sienna Princess, born in 2017; Win Harrison, born in 2020; and Amora Princess, born in 2023.
Wilson also embraces his role as a stepfather to Ciara’s son, Future Zahir Wilburn, from her previous relationship with rapper Future.
Golden Tate Has Three Children With Wife Elise Pollard
Golden Tate and Elise Pollard started dating in 2012, two years after his move to Seattle in 2010.
Elise, a Seattle resident at the time, is a University of Washington graduate with a degree in Marketing and Sales.
The couple got engaged on September 12, 2015, and later married on March 11, 2017, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Together, Golden and Elise have three children— Londyn Tate, born in 2018, Golden Tate IV, born in 2020, and Isaiah Michael Tatem, born in 2022.
Additional Information
- Golden Tate had a successful stint with the Seattle Seahawks, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards as part of the Super Bowl XLVIII winners.
- Tate was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 42nd round of the 2007 MLB Draft but chose to pursue college football instead.
- He transitioned back into baseball in 2022, signing with the Port Angeles Lefties of the West Coast League, reigniting his passion for the sport he called his “first love.”
