Richard Sherman

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman backed up his colorful and often boastful presence before the media with a remarkable record that included more than 20 interceptions and 200 tackles in just four years with the National Football League (NFL). Born March 30, 1988 in Compton, California, Richard Kevin Sherman was an exemplary student and salutatorian of his graduating class, and a solid performer for his school's track team, for which he won the state title in triple jump. But it was football that provided his most remarkable showcase: Sherman's senior year record alone included 1,030 all-purpose yards, 45 tackles and eight pass breakups. His level of play drew an athletic scholarship from Stanford University, where he continued his stellar performance record. As a wide receiver for the Cardinals, Sherman led the team in receiving and was named a Freshman All-American in 2006, and continued to dominate his position until suffering a knee injury in 2008. Upon recuperating, he moved his focus to cornerback and once again proved a major asset to the Cardinals by aiding their record-breaking 2010 season. The following year, Sherman was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2011 National Football League draft and enjoyed a spectacular rookie season with 55 tackles and 17 passes defended in just 10 games. By Week 17 of the 2012 season, Sherman was a key element in the "Legion of Boom" - a sobriquet given to Sherman and the Seahawks' powerful defensive backs - and made headlines on his own for his record of 61 tackles and seven interceptions. But he also drew attention for boastful assessments of his own talents and trash talk towards other players he deigned below his talents. This behavior - which included feuds on television ad social media with players like Derrelle Revis and Joe Haden - occasionally cast a pall over his success on the field, most notably during the Seahawks' win at the NFC Championships in 2013. There, Sherman deflected a pass from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick that would have overturned the Seahawks' slim winning margin of six points; the deflection was picked up by Malcolm Smith, which saved the day for the Seahawks, but Sherman used the upset - dubbed the "Immaculate Deflection" by the press - to mock 49ers Kaepernick and Michael Crabtree on the field and in a post-game television interview. Sherman was fined $7,858 for unsportsmanlike conduct, but he largely shut down naysayers by his defensive play in Super Bowl XLVIII, which helped the Seahawks overtake the Denver Broncos by a score of 43-8. Sherman's ascent continued in 2014 with a 4-year, $57.4 million contract extension with the Seahawks, as well as an ESPY Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Athlete and the cover of "Madden 15" (EA Sports, 2014). His record for the season also maintained a steady level of excellence, with 57 tackles and 4 interceptions, which helped bring the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl, where they fell to the New England Patriots. Following surgery for a torn elbow ligament, Sherman resumed his dedicated level of play for the 2015-2016 season, amassing a record of 50 tackles and 14 interceptions, while also maintaining a more level-headed persona off the field through numerous contributions to charities and a more mature attitude towards interviews. The sports media and fans alike responded to the "new" Sherman with considerable praise, ranking him as No. 8 among the Top 100 players in the league, nominating him for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and awarding him the Steve Largent Award for the player that best exemplifies the spirit and integrity of the Seahawks.