North Attleboro's Anthony Sherman Gets Shot At Super Bowl

ATTLEBORO, MA — The tremendous athleticism and tough-as-nails attitude that Anthony Sherman displayed as a three-sport star at North Attleboro High School have taken him to the NFL's biggest stage. Sherman's ninth year as a fullback with the Kansas City Chiefs will conclude on Super Bowl Sunday in Miami, where the Chiefs clash with the San Francisco 49ers for the Lombardi Trophy.

Neighbors in the shadow of Gillette Stadium might have had divided loyalties when Sherman's teams faced the New England Patriots in past playoffs. But there is far less doubt who is the rooting interest in the southeastern part of the state this year, with the Patriots well into their offseason and Sherman's Chiefs a slight favorite to win the franchise's first Super Bowl in 50 years.

North Attleboro head football coach Don Johnson was a position coach when Sherman was there and coached the 2007 graduate as both a running back and linebacker.

"He was a real throwback, one-of-a-kind, great kid," Johnson told Patch Thursday night. "He was blessed with a strong physical body, but was so athletic. He was a physical, powerful player who never got hurt in high school."

Johnson said Sherman's power and physical prowess led him to dominate not only on the football field, but also on the baseball diamond and track.

"He would throw a baseball equally well with both arms," Johnson said. "But the best part about him was that he was a total team player. He was a great teammate, extremely coachable and ultra-competitive. And he worked his butt off."

Sherman's hard work took him to the University of Arizona, where he led the way for fturue NFL back Beanie Wells to rack up more than 1,000 yards for the Wildcats. The Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. He spent two seasons with the Cardinals before a trade to the Chiefs.

In Kansas City, he paved the path for former All-Pro back Jamal Charles to rack up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2013 and 2014, and is now part of the NFL's most high-powered offense behind quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. While Sherman had only nine rushing yards and two receptions in the regular season, he is still considered one of the best blocking backs in the league who also plays special teams.

"And he's still the same great kid," Johnson said. "It couldn't happen to a better guy."

Super Bowl LIV at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 2.