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Seahawks Defensive Backs Embrace Learning From Legends

Recent visits by Seahawks Legends Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor have allowed young Seahawks defensive backs to learn from two of the best players in franchise history.

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Prior to last week's preseason opener, Nick Emmanwori's first game in a Seahawks uniform, the rookie safety got chance to catch up with Kam Chancellor, one of the best safeties in franchise history and a leader on a Super Bowl winning defense that will go down as one of the greatest in NFL history.

Less than a week later, Emmanwori was on the sideline at practice chatting with former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, another Legion of Boom founder and very likely a future member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For someone who grew up watching those Seahawks defenses as a kid in Irmo, South Carolina, and whose position coach in college, Torrian Grey, also coached Chancellor at Virginia Tech, those visits from Seahawks Legends are something Emmanwori will never take for granted.

Emmanwori, a second-round pick the Seahawks traded up to acquire in this year's draft, comes into the NFL with high expectations for himself, so he knows he can learn a lot form player who reached the levels of greatness he is striving to reach.

"I came from seeing those guys on the TV—they were pretty legendary—to being in the same area with those dudes," Emmanwori said. "Seeing those dudes coming back around, it just means a lot for young players like me, because, shoot, I can try to shoot to have that type of influence on the team or the City of Seattle just like they did.

"It means a lot to me. Especially (Sherman) and Kam coming back, keeping tabs on the team and stuff. It's pretty cool, man, Sherm's a legend. Honestly, I'm amazed every time I see those dudes in person. He was just giving me game as far as staying on my details, and every day having a mindset to be intentional. That's what our conversation was about."

During Tuesday's practice, Sherman was an engaged spectator from the sideline, offering both encouragement and advice for Seattle's defensive backs, especially Riq Woolen, who like Sherman is a former receiver, a fifth-round pick, and at 6-foot-4, taller and longer than a typical NFL cornerback.

"It was smooth," said cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who while not as similar to Sherman physically, does share a hyper-competitive nature and penchant for entertaining smack talk. "You get a perspective from what he's looking at, he's looking at it from, I don't want to say coaching standpoint, but he's not playing anymore, so he gets a chance to give us advice and tips on stuff that he sees we can improve on. It's just good to have him out there.

"Great tips from Sherm, we just appreciate him coming out here and taking time out of his day to give us that advice."

The Seahawks coaching staff, led by Mike Macdonald, has plenty of experience and knowhow to help players improve and play at a high level, but they are also the first to acknowledge that former players the caliber of Sherman or Chancellor, or Marshawn Lynch, who was at last week's preseason game and at practice over the weekend, can bring some unique perspective that benefits players in a way traditional coaching cannot.

"All of our all-time greats, if you're listening, come back, we love having them here, especially Sherm," Macdonald said. "Look, he knows a lot more stuff about being a player than I do, so go do your thing, go talk to the guys. He's got relationships with a lot of our guys already, which is really cool. Of course we welcome him in, let him spit some knowledge for us."

Said defensive coordinator Aden Durde, "I just think it's great. On teams I've been on, when the Legend players come back and share with players, that's one of the most important things in football. Because it's not just technique, it's experience, it's understanding of the moment, it's understanding how important the little things are, and it really enforces everyone's message. You can't put a value on things like that."

Seahawks players practiced in front of the 12s for the final time this training camp on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

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