Richard Sherman Celebrity Softball Game Returns to Safeco on July 19th

For the third year in a row, Richard Sherman is hosting a celebrity softball game in Seattle to raise money for his foundation, Blanket Coverage Family Foundation.

Blanket Coverage, the Richard Sherman Family Foundation is a charity started by Richard and his family in 2013. Since its inception the foundation has become a huge part of the Sherman family, and the annual softball game has become its biggest event.

Branton Sherman, Richard Sherman’s brother and former President of Blanket Coverage, talked to me about the importance of this softball game to the charity. “Blanket Coverage supplies inner city children with school clothes and supplies, and gives them confidence in what’s needed to succeed. The softball game is a huge fun filled event that helps the foundation achieve that.”

What started as a relatively small game back in 2013 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA, has grown into a huge event at Safeco field in Seattle. Organizers are expecting to top the 22,000 fans that attended last year. “The 12^th Man, they are awesome,” says Sherman. “They give you that major league feel like you are playing in an actual major league game.”

Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Last year the event featured Kobe Bryant from the LA Lakers, Larry Fitzgerald from the Arizona Cardinals, and a whole host of Seahawks players. This year’s players look to be just as exciting with new celebrities being announced every day on the Richard Sherman website, RichardSherman25.com.

“A lot of the guys are Seahawks players, but we reach out to as many celebrities as we can. If they have time in their schedule to help a great cause, they come out to play.” Sherman explained. “We try to find people the fans will enjoy.”

Even though this is a friendly charity game, the word friendly is used lightly. Branton says competition and bragging rights are always on the minds of the players. “At the end of the day, these guys are athletes. Even the seniors are in it to compete. They want to win it. They guys can joke and play around all day, but once the last inning comes, it becomes serious.”

And lets be honest, that’s what the fans love about this game and why they come out in the tens of thousands to watch. It is a fun event but has that level of competition that Seahawks fans have come to expect and enjoy from their players. Between the two brothers, that competition is even fiercer. When I asked who was the better softball player, Branton’s answer came quick. “Well obviously I am.”

Branton won’t be able to back that up this year, as he isn’t playing in this year’s game. His production company, TOPLIAISON MANAGEMENT INC, is producing the event, however his father Kevin Sherman will be stepping in to play. “He is just as competitive as everyone else.”

The game will be held the afternoon of July 19^th at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA. Tickets can be purchased on Richard Sherman’s website or from Ticketmaster.

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