Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks is seemingly everywhere these days, and we’re not just talking about his ability to cover wide receivers on a football field. He is a writer for Peter King‘s Monday Morning Quarterback, and now he is gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Even in a digital world of sports coverage, there is still something about making the cover of SI and joining a long list of famous images and athletes. In the midst of an interesting baseball season, it is still a football player that makes the cover at the end of July.
Is Sherman deserving of the cover so early in his career? Has he accomplished enough to earn this honor? It does not matter. The fine folks at Sports Illustrated obviously believe that Sherman is deserving. Otherwise they would not put him and his confident smile on their iconic cover.
Fans that have long supported the Seahawks will likely applaud this move and see it as a sign that ‘Hawks are gaining some notoriety around the NFL. It is time for Seattle to be known for more than rainy days, coffee and a long plane flight. Perhaps sportscasters will finally figure out that Seattle is not the farthest outpost in the NFL.
It does add to the expectations for Sherman, who may need to have an all-world season in order to live up to his growing hype. Based on the projected confidence, Sherman may be ready and excited about the challenge.
Of course, fans want one more cover this season. Having Sherman on the cover now is all about potential. However, the only thing that matters is a Super Bowl win. If Richard Sherman or his teammates are on the cover in February, then fans can truly celebrate.
This SI cover is a nice start, but there is at least one more cover to go.
Todd Pheifer covers the Seattle Seahawks for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @tpheifer, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.
