Richard Sherman’s most notable off-the-field moments

The Seahawks have parted ways with one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces.

The team officially announced they released cornerback Richard Sherman Friday afternoon, confirming an earlier report by Gee Scott of KIRO Radio 97.3 FM.

Sherman, 29, has spent the entirety of his seven-year career in Seattle. He became a celebrated member of Seattle’s historic defense and cemented himself as one of the most important players in franchise history.

O’Neil: A letter to Richard Sherman

While he was part of the Seahawks’ brightest moments on the field – who can forget “The Tip” play that sent Seattle to Super Bowl XLVIII? – he had plenty of memorable moments outside of CenturyLink.

Here are a few of our favorites.

When he donned a Harry Potter costume to a press conference (and got a shout out from J.K. Rowling)

Sherman surprised reporters in 2016 when he took the stage in a full Harry Potter costume to open a press conference just a few days shy of Halloween – a request from his then-21 month old son, Rayden.

“When you’re a wizard like we are out here, sometimes you have to show it to the muggles out in the world,” Sherman told reporters. “We’ve got a lot of wizards. My son’s a wizard. Earl Thomas does some magical things. Michael Bennett is Black Santa but he’s also a wizard. So you just have a good time. I just went to Harry Potter land. That felt like home.”

A video of the press conference even made its way to J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter novels.

Did I ever mention that I'm a #Seahawks fan? Well, I am.

(Don't ask me who plays for them apart from R Sherman.)https://t.co/2zoJ8RRKZY

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 27, 2016

When he mocked NFL media policies with Doug Baldwin

Sherman has always been outspoken about his beliefs, and that was readily apparent when he and teammate Doug Baldwin called out the league for a perceived hypocrisy about what players can and cannot say – and they did it all using a cutout as a prop.

When he used a press conference to address police shootings

Following the fatal shootings of two unarmed African Americans by police officers, Sherman voiced his frustration and concern that player protests aren’t being heard for what they are: calls for equality.

Sherman opted not to take questions during his press conference (though he did speak with local reporters in the locker room afterward) and instead opened with a statement before leaving the stage.

“I think you have players that are trying to take a stand and trying to be aware of social issue and try to make a stand and increase people’s awareness and put a spotlight on it and they’re being ignored. Whether they’re taking a knee or whether they’re locking arms, they’re trying to bring people together and unite them for a cause. I think the last couple days a couple more guys have gotten shot and killed in the middle of the street … and I think people are still missing the point.

“The reason these guys are kneeling, the reason we’re locking arms is to bring people together to make people aware that this is not right … so when a guy takes a knee, you can ignore it. You can say he’s not being patriotic, he’s not honoring the flag. I’m doing none of those things. I’m saying it straight up. This is wrong and we need to do something. So thank you guys, have a blessed day.”

When he trolled Seahawks’ rookies from a jet ski in Lake Washington

The Seahawks’ headquarters and practice facility sits along the scenic shores of Seattle’s Lake Washington – and that’s exactly where Sherman watched the Seahawks’ rookies hit the field for rookie training camp in May 2013.

Watching the rooks from the Lake pic.twitter.com/nFsTi4P63n

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) May 10, 2013

A Sherm sighting on the lake during the rookies' practice today! @RSherman_25 checking out our pups! [@rodmarphoto] pic.twitter.com/vfZfYR4Hr7

— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) May 11, 2013

When he trash-talked Skip Bayless

If you’ve been living under a rock for the last 5 years, then you’ve probably never seen Sherman trash-talking Skip Bayless live on ESPN’s “First Take.” No worries, you can watch it here.

Whether you loved it or hated it, it became one of Sherman’s many viral moments.

After Sherman and Darrelle Revis traded barbs over Twitter about which of them was the best cornerback in the NFL, Bayless tried to put a then 24-year-old Sherman in his place. During a subsequent interview, Bayless tried to goad Sherman into a debate by asking him whether he truly believed he was better than Revis – but the third-year pro wouldn’t take the bait.

Sherman instead fired directly at Bayless, and left us with this memorable line: “In my 24 years of life, I’m better at life than you.”