Josh Norman has a tremendous amount of respect for Peyton Manning. So much, in fact, that Norman is considering bowing to Manning if the Panthers cornerback records an interception in the Super Bowl.
“He’s ‘The Sheriff,’ man. I’ve admired him since I grew up,” Norman said Thursday, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. “I have a lot of respect for that guy. … Even though he’s got some age on him, he’s ‘The Sheriff.’ If I even get the ball from him, if he throws an interception or something and the guy allows me to be there for it, I’m probably going to bow to him. That’s how much I really think about a guy.”
Jon Gruden gave Manning the nickname “The Sheriff” back in 2009 to describe how Manning lays down the law on opposing defenses. The name isn’t used all that often, but the Panthers have embraced it. Cam Newton also referred to Manning as “The Sheriff” after Carolina defeated the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game.
Norman, who has done plenty of trash talking about opponents this year, couldn’t praise Manning enough.
“That’s PM. That’s P freaking M, the guy you’ve been idolizing,” he added. “I’ve played the Colts on the game system [years ago]. … This is the guy we’re facing, man. It’s so unbelievably great that God would allow it to happen this way.”
Of course, Norman is hoping he gets the best of the man he respects so much. The Pro Bowl cornerback’s thoughts on Manning are a bit different from what some of his teammates said earlier this week, but the level of respect is likely consistent throughout the locker room. Manning may only have one game left in him (if this exchange is any indication), but he’s more than capable of dissecting a defense.
