Richard Sherman recalls DeVonta Smith route that showed him he needed to retire

Richard Sherman was as soon as thought-about one of the best cornerback within the NFL throughout his time with the Seattle Seahawks and their famed “Legion of Increase.” However Sherman’s profession ultimately got here to an finish following the 2021 marketing campaign, and he remembered the precise play that advised him it was time to hold up his cleats.

Sherman was a five-time Professional Bowler, three-time All Professional and a Tremendous Bowl champion when he arrived in Tampa Bay to play with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal for the 2021 season. He had accomplished his second yr with the San Francisco 49ers the season prior, after seven excellent seasons in Seattle. 

However a gathering with the Philadelphia Eagles would change the then-33-year-old’s thoughts about persevering with his NFL profession, and it was a selected route that rookie DeVonta Smith ran in opposition to him at Lincoln Monetary Discipline. 

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Richard Sherman of the Buccaneers appears on from the sideline in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles throughout wild-card playoff sport at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)

“I’ll always remember I used to be in Tampa and I had simply come again from an harm. A calf harm or one thing,” he mentioned on his “The Richard Sherman Podcast. “…It was my third sport and we had y’all on a Thursday evening and DeVonta should’ve ran the comeback. And I had him below management. I used to be like, bang, fast jam. Straightforward, acquired him below management. 

“He should’ve stopped and I attempted to cease and my complete groin mentioned, ‘Snap, snap, snap, snap. Woah, woah.’ Then, you’re making an attempt to protect him, you’re like chasing him round like, ‘Please don’t throw him the ball.’ Our coach is taking a look at me on the sideline like, ‘Hey, you need to come out?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, however they’re in a hurry-up.’ I’m like bailing out.

RICHARD SHERMAN STARTS AWKWARD CONFRONTATION WITH SEATTLE RADIO HOST DURING INTERVIEW

“At that second, I used to be like, ‘Yeah, that is in all probability my final yr. I don’t acquired it for these younger dudes proper now.’”

Smith was balling out when the Bucs and Eagles met for “Thursday Evening Soccer,” as he had 199 mixed yards within the two video games prior. However, regardless of Sherman believing he couldn’t sustain with Smith, he solely completed with two catches for 31 yards that sport on 4 targets. 

The Bucs would additionally find yourself successful, 28-22. 

Richard Sherman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the sector after being injured in opposition to the Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Discipline on Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Photos)

Nonetheless, as Sherman famous, accidents didn’t assist issues in his ultimate yr. He handled the calf harm earlier than an Achilles harm ended his season. 

Sherman performed simply 5 video games with the Bucs, although he did have one interception and a fumble restoration over that span. 

Sherman did, nonetheless, see what Smith was bringing to the NFL, because the Alabama product had a breakout sophomore season final yr with 1,196 yards and 7 touchdowns on 95 receptions from quarterback Jalen Hurts. 

Richard Sherman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appears towards the sideline earlier than the Eagles sport at Lincoln Monetary Discipline on Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)

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In the meantime, Sherman transformed to his sports activities media profession.