Richard Sherman called tipping pass for an interception before game

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Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) tips the ball against San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) for an interception by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) tips the ball against San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) for an interception by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

A lot of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s great play to end the game has been overlooked in part by what he did on and off the field after the play. But Sherman still made an incredible play defending the pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, knocking it away and tipping it to linebacker Malcolm Smith for a game-sealing interception.

The Seattle Times shares a story that seems to suggest he predicted it would happen before it actually did.

From the Seattle Times:

"Sherman does plenty of planning, and his brother is often around to hear about what’s in store. Sherman’s incredible play at the end of the game? He had done something similar last month against the New York Giants, tipping a pass that safety Earl Thomas intercepted to ensure a shutout victory.“I did that on purpose, bro,” Richard said afterward.“Nah, that was luck,” Branton replied.“OK, I’ll do it again some time,” Richard said."

Of course playing defense you can’t really call a play like that. You can only take the opportunity when it comes but you can’t guarantee that a quarterback will throw your way with the game on the line to afford you the opportunity to execute. When the opportunity came, Sherman took it though.