Richard Sherman (American football)
A cerebral and fiercely competitive cornerback, he anchored the Seattle Seahawks' legendary 'Legion of Boom' defense and became the NFL's premier shutdown artist.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American football player·Birthday: March 30·Millennials
Biography
Richard Sherman rewrote the blueprint for the modern NFL cornerback. A former wide receiver at Stanford, he leveraged that offensive knowledge into a defensive mastery, combining exceptional length, technical precision, and a razor-sharp football IQ. Drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks, he quickly became the vocal and tactical leader of the 'Legion of Boom,' a defense that dominated the league and powered a Super Bowl XLVIII victory. Sherman's peak was defined by a staggering ability to eliminate half the field, daring quarterbacks to throw his way and often making them pay. His famous tip in the 2013 NFC Championship game, sealing a trip to the Super Bowl, is an indelible NFL moment. Beyond his play, his articulate and unfiltered commentary made him a compelling figure far beyond the hashmarks.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Richard was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks as a cornerstone of their historic defense.
- Led the NFL in interceptions (8) in 2013 and recorded 36 interceptions over his 11-year career.
- Earned five Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro three times.
- Recorded the game-sealing defensive play in the 2013 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.
- Became the first Stanford alumnus to be inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2024.
Did You Know?
He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in communication and posted a 3.9 GPA in his master's program.
Sherman began his college football career as a wide receiver before switching to cornerback.
He hosts his own podcast, 'The Richard Sherman Podcast', and works as an analyst for Amazon's 'Thursday Night Football'.
He was drafted in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
““I’m the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get.””
