$15 Things You Didn\'t Know About Richard Sherman Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX$

15 Things You Didn't Know About Richard Sherman Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

By Alex Drude

15 Things You Didn't Know About Richard Sherman Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during press conference at The Westin. — He’s the best-known defensive player in the NFL today, but here are 15 things you didn’t know about the history of the key member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense. This list will explain a lot about a guy who seems like a villain to anyone who isn't a Seattle Seahawks fan.

15. Inspired By Magic Johnson In High School

Los Angeles Lakers former player Magic Johnson in attendance during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

15. Inspired By Magic Johnson In High School

Los Angeles Lakers former player Magic Johnson in attendance during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. — While at Dominguez High School in Compton, CA, Magic Johnson came and spoke about the importance of setting and achieving goals. That talk has been one of the driving motivations in Sherman’s life.

14. Developed the 'Blanket Coverage Foundation'

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) takes pictures with fans following the 31-17 victory against the Carolina Panthers in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field.

14. Developed the 'Blanket Coverage Foundation'

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) takes pictures with fans following the 31-17 victory against the Carolina Panthers in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. — To help inspire kids like Magic Johnson did to him, Sherman founded the 'Blanket Coverage Foundation' in 2013 to provide kids in low-income communities with school supplies and clothing so they can set and achieve their goals without worrying about at least one aspect of life.

13. Blogs In Addition To Twitter and Instagram

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) signs autographs after beating the Arizona Cardinals 35-6 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

13. Blogs In Addition To Twitter and Instagram

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) signs autographs after beating the Arizona Cardinals 35-6 at University of Phoenix Stadium. — Lest you think all his social media thoughts are around the theme “U Mad Bro?” Sherman also blogs regularly on his official website, RichardSherman25.com. Sure, he talks smack there about other players and teams, but also provides intelligent commentary, chances for deserving people to win tickets to Seahawks games and more.

12. 4.2 High School GPA

Michael Thomas #3 and Richard Sherman #9 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrate after they beat the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California.

12. 4.2 High School GPA

Michael Thomas #3 and Richard Sherman #9 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrate after they beat the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. — Even before Magic Johnson came to his school, Sherman was focused on getting to the top. A 4.2 GPA meant that he would easily qualify academically for any school that offered him a scholarship. It was also the second-highest GPA that year at Dominguez High.

11. Helped Classmates Get Into College

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) takes questions from media during a press conference for Super Bowl XLVIII at The Westin

11. Helped Classmates Get Into College

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) takes questions from media during a press conference for Super Bowl XLVIII at The Westin — On his website, Sherman says that in addition to looking for ways to better himself in high school, he also used his ability to help his friends and teammates improve their life and get into colleges as well. The concept of helping others was instilled in him early.

10. Voted Most Likely To Succeed

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the first half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field

10. Voted Most Likely To Succeed

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during the first half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field — His high school classmates were the first large group to realize that Sherman would stop at nothing to better himself.

9. High School State Triple Jump Champion

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) jumps over Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) after catching an interception during the first half at CenturyLink Field.

9. High School State Triple Jump Champion

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) jumps over Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) after catching an interception during the first half at CenturyLink Field. — In addition to football, Sherman was an accomplished track and field athlete. Not only did he win the California State Triple Jump Competition, he also finished 3rd in the 110 meter hurdles. That jumping ability hasn’t hurt his football career one bit.

8. 93rd Rated Player In the State of California By Rivals.com

Seattle Seahawks fans in the grandstands hold a sign for cornerback Richard Sherman against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6.

8. 93rd Rated Player In the State of California By Rivals.com

Seattle Seahawks fans in the grandstands hold a sign for cornerback Richard Sherman against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. — All great players need extra motivation to succeed. While still in the top 100 of the entire state of California, Sherman chafed that he was not rated higher coming out of high school.

7. Led Stanford In Receiving As A Freshman and Was Freshman All-American

Richard Sherman #9 of the Stanford Cardinal scores a touchdown off an interception thrown by Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

7. Led Stanford In Receiving As A Freshman and Was Freshman All-American

Richard Sherman #9 of the Stanford Cardinal scores a touchdown off an interception thrown by Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California — Widely forgotten now, Sherman originally went to Stanford, primarily as a wide receiver, and all he did as a freshman was lead the Cardinal in receiving and was named freshman All-American -- the first time he outperformed expectations on a national stage.

6. Also Did Track and Field At Stanford

Stanford Cardinal former football player Richard Sherman (left) and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice (center) in attendance during the first half of the semifinals in the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum.

6. Also Did Track and Field At Stanford

Stanford Cardinal former football player Richard Sherman (left) and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice (center) in attendance during the first half of the semifinals in the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum. — Recognizing the importance of track and field as a football training tool, Sherman was also part of the Cardinal track team as a long jumper, triple jumper and hurdler.

5. Switched To CB Full Time After 2008 Knee Injury

Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks makes a move on cornerback Richard Sherman #9 of Stanford as he runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon

5. Switched To CB Full Time After 2008 Knee Injury

Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks makes a move on cornerback Richard Sherman #9 of Stanford as he runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon — Four games into 2008, Sherman injured his knee and needed surgery. It was then that the Stanford coaches suggested Sherman switch to cornerback full-time to have a chance to make an impact on every defensive play, and he took them up on it. It appears to have been a smart move.

4. Graduated From Stanford With A Degree In Communications and A 3.9 GPA

North Squad defensive back Richard Sherman (7) of Stanford during the 2011 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

4. Graduated From Stanford With A Degree In Communications and A 3.9 GPA

North Squad defensive back Richard Sherman (7) of Stanford during the 2011 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium — It should surprise nobody that Sherman (shown in a rare photo at the 2011 Senior Bowl) majored in communications and also had an excellent GPA in Palo Alto.

3. 5th Round Pick By Seattle Seahawks In 2011

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll congratulates cornerback Richard Sherman (25) after Sherman completes a play during training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

3. 5th Round Pick By Seattle Seahawks In 2011

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll congratulates cornerback Richard Sherman (25) after Sherman completes a play during training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. — He was drafted with the 23rd pick in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft (154th overall). He says he can name every cornerback taken ahead of him, and I don’t doubt it. I would expect he can name most players taken ahead of him.

2. Played In All 16 Games As A Rookie In 2011, Started 10

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman (25) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Cincinnati defeated Seattle 34-12.

2. Played In All 16 Games As A Rookie In 2011, Started 10

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman (25) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Cincinnati defeated Seattle 34-12. — Seattle didn’t know what they had, but Sherman quickly showed them. He played in all 16 games as a rookie and after injuries to Seattle’s other corners, he moved into the starting lineup for the last 10 contests.

1. Not Named To Pro Bowl After Rookie Season

eattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Seahawks defeat the Bears 38-14.

1. Not Named To Pro Bowl After Rookie Season

eattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Seahawks defeat the Bears 38-14. — Despite obviously proving his worth on defense, he was not named to the Pro Bowl after his rookie season. Sherman took the snub in stride, using it as fuel to get better. Since entering the league, he leads all players in interceptions and passes defended. Tip: don’t slight Richard Sherman.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

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