Pure class: Sherman said Manning asked him about injured ankle after Super Bowl

What's Peyton Manning's legacy? At worst, he's one of the classiest players of this or any other NFL generation.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was part of a defense that absolutely dismantled Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, and yet Sherman said on ESPN's "Mike & Mike" show (via Pro Football Talk) on Monday morning that Manning sought out Sherman after the game to ask about his injured ankle.

“He was really concerned about my well-being,” Sherman said. “After a game like that, a guy who’s still classy enough to say ‘How are you doing?’ To show that kind of concern for an opponent shows a lot of humility and class.”

Sherman suffered the high-ankle sprain during the game and tried to play through the pain but eventually had to be carted off. He rejoined his teammates in celebration on the sidelines wearing a walking boot.

“He’s a Hall of Fame player, he’s a living legend, he’s a record-holding quarterback, he’s a Super Bowl champion, he’s been a Super Bowl MVP,” Sherman said of Manning.

And if that's not a huge part of Manning's lasting legacy, then something is wrong in this instant-analysis world we live in.