Richard Sherman, the Seattle Seahawks’ star cornerback, was concerned ahead of Super Bowl XLIX that he’d have to miss the game to witness the birth of his first child. Fortunately for Sherman, he didn’t have to make the tough decision and is expected to welcome the baby boy next week.

Richard Sherman’s Baby

Ahead of the 2015 Super Bowl, Sherman revealed that his girlfriend Ashley Moss was due around the time of the big game and that they had made arrangements should she go into labor over Super Bowl weekend. Moss had traveled to Phoenix for the game, and the couple had been in touch with a local hospital and doctor.

Last week, when Sherman was asked about whether or not he’d play in the Super Bowl if the birth of his child conflicted with game time, he admitted he wasn’t sure what he’d do. However, he seemed confident it wouldn’t come down to that.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said during a press conference. “But I think he will be a disciplined young man and stay in there a while longer.”

Sunday morning, Sherman texted a reporter, “I am playing today,” after determining that it was unlikely Moss would be giving birth that day.

Moss’s due date is Feb. 12.