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Expect Sherman on Sunday

Richard Sherman (25) of the Seattle Seahawks intercepts a pass away from Davante Adams (17) of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington on January 18, 2015. Seattle won 28-22. Photo by Troy Wayrynen/UPI
Richard Sherman (25) of the Seattle Seahawks intercepts a pass away from Davante Adams (17) of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington on January 18, 2015. Seattle won 28-22. Photo by Troy Wayrynen/UPI | License Photo

When it comes to Richard Sherman and playing in the Super Bowl there is no right or wrong answer unless you are talking about the math itself.

"You've gotta time your conception a little better, I would say," Jets wide receiver Eric Decker quipped Friday on WFAN Radio.

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Sherman's girlfriend, Ashley Moss, is pregnant and due to give Seattle's All- Pro cornerback a son in the coming days but if the baby decides to make a break for it early on Sunday, Sherman will be forced to choose between his teammates and his duty as a father.

"I think he's going to be a disciplined young man and stay in there until after the game," Sherman joked on Thursday. "He's going to do his father his first favor and stay in there for another week or two."

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Sherman's current quandary signals a sharp generational shift.

Years ago there would have been no discussion -- you play if it's a Week 4 game never mind the Super Bowl but things have changed in today's society and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made sure to give his star a wide berth.

"Whenever our players have a personal family issue that comes up, it's always about the family first," Carroll said on Friday morning.

Moss told one television station that Sherman will be suiting up on Sunday no matter what.

"He's very locked in; football comes first," Moss told Seattle's KING 5.

Sherman has hedged far more, though.

"I've thought about the possibility of his coming during the game or coming before the game," Sherman said earlier this week. "We have things in place in case that happens. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

"I would not like to miss the birth of my first kid," he added. "Hopefully, and God willing, we won't have to cross that bridge."

Others don't think it should be a choice.

"I couldn't miss (the birth of a child)," Decker said. "That's the Super Bowl of my life."

Decker's wife, country singer Jessie James Decker, gave birth to their first child last March.

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Pro golfer Hunter Mahan famously passed on a chance for a huge pay day when he left the 2013 Canadian Open while leading after his wife went into labor before the final round.

Phil Mickelson was also prepared to leave the 1999 U.S. Open early despite being in the hunt for what would have been his first major tourney win.

Golfers, though, are independent contractors and their decisions aren't going to impact 52 other men who have fought and clawed through 18 games to play on football's biggest stage.

"This opportunity is rare in itself and unique in itself," Carroll said of playing in the Super Bowl.

And that's why the easiest prop bet on Super Bowl Sunday is Sherman suiting up for the Seahawks despite a hyperextended elbow and the potential stork visit.

"I guess we'll have a Super Bowl baby," Moss said when asked what will happen if she goes into labor, "and if you see Richard heading for the locker room right after it hits zero in the fourth quarter, don't be surprised."

[SportsNetwork.com]

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