[1][2][3] His father, James Wilson, was born in Canada to Irish immigrants.
[2][4] By 1917, Wilson had become a naturalized United States citizen and was employed in the milk and creamery business in Detroit.
[4] The Heralds opened their season with a game against the Cleveland Panthers, played at Navin Field on October 10, 1920.
[5] Two weeks later, Wilson appeared in the Heralds' game against the Columbus Panhandles as a substitute at the quarterback position.
The other three Canadian-born players to play in the NFL during its inaugural 1920 season were Buck MacDonald, a guard, Tommy Hughitt, a halfback, and Jim Bryant, a halfback.