Dad’s dilemma: Sherman hopes son isn’t born before Super Bowl

PHOENIX – Child’s birth or Super Bowl?

It’s a decision that Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman hopes he won’t have to make.

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

Sherman’s girlfriend is expecting the couple’s first child, but her doctor does not expect her to go into labor until a week or more after the game.

Still, the question of being present for a child’s birth or playing a sport can become an issue for debate. At least it was last year in New York after Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy took a few days of paternity leave early in the regular season.

“That’s a topic of debate?” Sherman asked.

Well, sometimes.

Not for Seahawks defensive end O’Brien Schofield and his wife last year. Not only was she nearing her due date, but she flew to New York to attend the Super Bowl, informing her doctor that this was a game she was not going to miss.

As for what would have happened had she gone into labor during the game? Well, Schofield had a pager, and he would have gotten to the hospital. As soon as he could after the game.

So what would Sherman do if his girlfriend went into labor during the game?

“We have things in place in case that happens,” Sherman said. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But I didn’t know it was a topic of national debate, honestly. I would not like to miss the birth of my first kid, but hopefully and God willing, we won’t have to cross that bridge.”

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