PHOENIX -- As Richard Sherman prepares for one of the biggest games of his life, he and his girlfriend Ashley Moss are also preparing for a big moment -- the birth of their first child.
Moss is nine months pregnant -- due February 12 -- but still made the journey to Arizona to cheer on Sherman as the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
This is the couple's second trip to the Super Bowl, but Moss says it's been crazy with the news coming out that they are expecting a baby.
"We didn't expect it to be such a national story," she said.
According to Moss, who grew up in Redmond, Wash., she didn't want to tell Sherman if she went into labor during the game, but Sherman told her, "You better call."
Even with all the attention around their first child, Moss says Sherman is focused.
"He's very locked in; football comes first," said Moss.
And if she does goes into labor during the game?
"I guess we'll have a Super Bowl baby and if you see Richard heading for the locker room right after it hits zero in the fourth quarter, don't be surprised," she said.
The couple made a plan so she could travel, Moss said, because she wasn't missing the game.
"I pretty much told him, 'I'm coming,'" she said. "I told him, 'either you pack a bag or I pack a bag.'"
Moss and Sherman has been surrounded by family this week, and the whole team, from general manager John Schneider to the players' wives, has been very supportive, she said.
According to Moss, the couple has chosen a name, but is keeping it a secret until their son arrives.
"We're hoping that he matches the name that we've chosen for him," she said, adding that the little boy will have the same initials as dad -- RKS.
Moss said she and Sherman have talked about whether their child will be more like mom or dad.
"We kind of balance each other so I hope that he's that outgoing person but be quiet at the same time," she said.
While 2014 was a great year for Moss and Sherman, 2015 could be even better. And Moss is confident that their son will wait until after Sunday to arrive.
"He'll hold out. Like Richard says, he'll do him his first favor and stay in there until at least after the game," said Moss.
KING 5's Elizabeth Wiley contributed to this story.
