Richard Sherman isn't just preparing for the Super Bowl. The Seahawks cornerback is also getting ready for the birth of his first child, a son.
"I think he's going to be a disciplined young man and stay in there until after the game," Sherman said in an interview. "He's going to do his father his first favor and stay in there for another week or two."
Sherman's girlfriend, Ashley Moss, is due to give birth to their son in early February. She is currently in Phoenix with Sherman. Just in case Moss goes into labor on Sunday, she and Sherman have arranged for her to give birth at a local hospital.
"I'm focused on the game. He's not supposed to come on Sunday," Sherman added. "If he does, that would change some things. I've thought about the possibility of his coming during the game or coming before the game. We have things in place in case that happens. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I would not like to miss the birth of my first kid, but hopefully and God willing, we won't have to cross that bridge."
Moss says she doesn't want Sherman skipping the game.
His quarterback, Russell Wilson, believes it could work to the Seahawks’ advantage by providing extra motivation for Sherman to play at his best if his son decides to arrive on Sunday.
"That would be a special birthday," Wilson said. "If Richard's son is born on Sunday, I would be so happy for him. I know he would have a great game. I know if I'm Tom [Brady], I'm not throwing his way if [Sherman's] son is born on the same day. Richard will want to make some extra plays for him. But I'm excited for him. Richard will be a great father."
Will little Sherman — or as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, "little Petey" — grow up and follow in his father's footsteps?
"Football probably will be the first or second sport he plays," he said. "People talk about the negative aspects of football, but there also are a lot of positives you learn as a kid. I don't know many 7- and 8-year-olds in Pop Warner are running into each other full speed and getting concussions. Kids aren't brave enough at that age.
"But football teaches you discipline and helps you develop a sense of leadership and courage and camaraderie with your friends and teammates. It shows you how to work with a group and how to depend on one another, how to trust someone to do their jobs and how to be dependable in your job. These are things you learn that are essential throughout your life."