The names include some players who have become Pro Bowlers, like Patrick Peterson, and others who aren’t even in the league anymore, like Rod Isaac. Richard Sherman knows them all.
They are the names of all the defensive backs who were chosen in the 2011 NFL draft before the Seahawks selected Richard Sherman with the 154th overall pick. Sherman said today on NFL AM that he can name every single defensive back who was chosen before his name was finally called two years ago.
“Nothing is going to change the fact that I was drafted 154, fifth round, 23rd pick. Nothing’s going to change that. Five rounds of teams just passed, passed, passed, passed. I know every single one of them. I know every DB. I know everyone who went ahead of me,” Sherman said.
Sherman said he decided as he was being snubbed to use it as motivation.
“I was like, I’m going to do whatever it takes to become a high-profile guy. I’m going to earn the respect. If they’re not going to give it like they’ve given it to all the rest of these guys, I’m just going to take it,” Sherman said.
Sherman has definitely taken it: Just two years after lasting until pick No. 154, Sherman is one of the best players in the NFL.