Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was selected as the cover athlete for the Madden NFL 15 video game, edging other big-name football stars.
ESPN reported on Friday that Sherman, who made headlines throughout the nation for his post-game rant after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship in January, edged Carolina Panthers quarterback in the online fan voting.
"Winning the cover is a kid's dream come true," Sherman said. "I would never be in the position without my fellow Legion of Boom members and teammates."
Sherman, who is considered by many as the best cornerback in the NFL as he was named to the last two Pro Bowls, will be the second Seahawks to grace the Madden NFL cover, following the footsteps of running back Shaun Alexander, who was the cover athlete in the 2007 edition of the game.
The 26-year-old cornerback also became the third defensive player to be named as cover athlete. Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis was selected in 2005, followed by Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu in 2010 as co-featured athlete with Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
"It's an unbelievable experience. It's something you've always dreamed about as a little kid. Something you never expect to happen," Sherman said. "It's a humbling experience to do it in front of all these great people, and do it for the city of Seattle. It's fantastic."
Sherman previously edged other notable players in the first round of voting, which was patterned after the NCAA tournament bracket.
The former Stanford standout toppled Chicago Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery in first round, 73 percent to 27 percent, New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham in the quarterfinals, 75 percent to 25 percent, and 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the semifinals, 65 percent to 35 percent.
Sherman is arguably not the biggest name on the list, but multiple reports suggested that his post-game rant when he deflected a pass to Michael Crabtree in the NFC Championship game, boosted his stock.
"I'm the best corner in the game," Sherman said in January. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're going to get. Don't you ever talk about me."
Madden NFL 15 will be released on August 26 for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, and Xbox 360.
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