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Richard Sherman: through his father’s eyes

By Dan Viens

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In the figurative blink of an eye, Richard Sherman has built an empire.  Just 6 years ago he was making the transition from receiver to cornerback entering his senior season at Stanford, and now he’s an NFL icon and community leader.

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It may all have come as a surprise to some, but not to his father.  We all know the story of Sherman’s Dad; lifelong trash collector in inner-city L.A. who refused to quit his job ever after his football-playing son had signed a $56 million contract. What we didn’t know about Kevin Sherman is he’s also a sort of clairvoyant.

He knew his youngest son was destined for greatness at a very early age.

“I would say maybe 12 years old, middle school age,” the elder Sherman told me after Richard’s celebrity softball game at Safeco Field last week.

It’s this particular event that shows just how far #25 has come.  Three years ago the inaugural event was held at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium.  Now it appears settled in at the Mariners Safeco Field and has drawn over 20,000 fans the last two summers. The game raises money for Sherman’s Blanket Coverage Foundation, which provides school supplies and clothing to kids in low-income communities.

Who would have thought all this was possible a few years ago? His father of course.

At 12 years old? TWELVE?!?!?!

Seems appropriate, doesn’t it?

May 26, 2015; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) returns a punt during an OTA practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The tall, rangy, dreadlocked cornerback stood out like a beacon at the 2010 Senior Bowl.  6’2″ CB’s are less uncommon today, but back then he was a trail blazer.  A last-minute injury replacement, he looked good in drills that week and had a couple pass breakups during the game, but was also beaten badly on a double move by Colin Peek in the closing seconds of the first half.  This seemed to confirm some scouts concerns about Richard’s shortcomings.

ESPN’s Ted Miller said he lacked closing speed.

CBS’s Rob Rang said he “loses a step in transition, allowing him to get beat over the top.”

These assessments weren’t necessarily unfair at the time.  And they were understandable, given Sherman’s lack of time at the position.  After spending his first 3 years at Stanford playing Wide Receiver, and playing it well, Sherman suffered a knee injury as a junior, and then was asked to move to defense by then Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.  Heading into his Senior year at a new spot, Sherman made the most of it by starting 12 games and working his way into being a potential late round draft pick. The Seahawks selected him in the 5th round.  We all know what’s happened since.

Again, none of it came as a shock to his Dad.

"“Things come very easy for Richard; they come very easy to him.  It’s like, he understands it right away. And he’s just shown everyone that knows him, that sees him, that this is what he does. He learns right away and then he puts it into action.”"

What we see on the football field is the player.  Usually we assume that player is the sum of all the work he’s done off the field with coaches, trainers and teammates.  But in Richard’s case, his success stems from the foundation that was built at home.  Growing up in a difficult neighborhood, he was raised by parents who wouldn’t let he and his brother get involved in gangs, who wouldn’t allow them to use their surroundings as an excuse for failure or mediocrity, who wanted them both to venture out and find success elsewhere.

Or, to hear his father talk about it, Richard’s success as an individual appropriately mirrors the success of the football team he plays for, with loyalty, commitment, and togetherness at the forefront.

"“We need more families to stick together, because what he’s done is show what a mother and father can do for him and how a mother and father can guide you in the right direction, and we gave him the right direction and he did the rest on his own.”"

And for all of Richard’s individual accolades, he willingly shares his success with his family, and his family regards it as a team victory.

“It’s a great accomplishment, it’s a great time, from where we come from. It’s… the opportunity that he’s presented for all of us is truly good and it just shows… that’s what happens when a family sticks together the whole way.”

You can hear the entire, uncut interview with Kevin Sherman below:

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