North Attleboro High School Alumni Association

Anthony Sherman
Young Alumni Award
2015

One reason people admire Anthony Sherman is that he is as humble today as he was as a sophomore trying to establish himself with the Big Red varsity in 2004. Another reason is that people love a winner.

Sherm was arguably the best player on the field for much of his high school career, establishing NAHS school records in rushing yards and total offense, in addition to scoring 47 TDs and 284 total points. He was also the leader of the defense from his inside linebacker spot. Anthony holds the distinction of being the only three-time Balfour Trophy winner in the history of the NAHS vs. AHS Thanksgiving game, and for his efforts, as a senior, he was selected as the Offensive MVP of the MHSFCA Super 26 All-state Team. The penultimate honor he received was the top honor in Massachusetts High School football—Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, 2006.

In addition to his football success, Anthony also excelled in baseball and indoor track. What is most remarkable, however, is that he remained humble and coachable in all three sports despite his unparalleled success. Upon Anthony's selection to the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame in 2011, North coach Don Johnson called Anthony Sherman "the epitome of what it means to be a teammate, a leader, and a winner."

After graduation, Anthony accepted a full scholarship to the University of Connecticut, where he excelled at fullback and on special teams, served as co-captain as a junior and senior, and led the Huskies to a berth in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl versus the University of Oklahoma. That spring Anthony was a fifth round selection by the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. After two years as a starting fullback and special teams captain, Sherm was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Anthony's career in Kansas City has been nothing short of spectacular. Demonstrating the same determination and toughness that he displayed in high school, college, and with the Cardinals, he has excelled as the starting fullback and special teams captain. He was recently named Associated Press Second Team All Pro NFL fullback. Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid praised Sherm in a recent press conference, calling him "one of the leaders of this football team. . . he kind of covers a bunch of bases [here], but most of all he's a good football player." Teammate Alex Smith praised Sherman as "a selfless, team guy," qualities that are increasingly rare among professional athletes today.

Anthony attributes much of his success to simple values he learned from his high school teachers and coaches—loyalty, toughness and discipline. According to Sherman, "Don Johnson, Paul Sullivan, Jack Johnson and Kurt Kummer taught me how to have a passion towards the game and to never take anything for granted. They were awesome role models who taught me how to be a man, not just an athlete."

Anthony also credits his extended family for being an invaluable support system throughout his career. In particular, he appreciates his parents, Pam and Tony, "for their unconditional support and encouraging him to be active while growing up," his sisters "for being his biggest cheerleaders," and his wife, Jessica, "for being there every step of the way as I live out my dreams."

When asked to offer advice to current NAHS students to help them succeed, Anthony replied, "Hard work can take you wherever you want to go as long as you're willing to outwork your opponents. Never give up on a dream, no matter how big it is!" When pressed further to offer evidence of his own work ethic, Anthony said, "I got to where I am today by making sure I outwork everyone. At the end of the day, I know that no one has gotten the edge on me. How do I know I'm outworking everyone? I put in more time and effort than everyone. If work starts at 7, I’m there at 5:30; if work ends at 5, I leave at 7."

Anthony Sherman serves as a symbol to the entire NAHS community about the power of hard work and determination. The NAHS Alumni Association is proud to recognize Anthony's success at such an early stage of his career.