Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman is known to trash talk opponents from time to time, but you won't find him saying anything negative about "The Sheriff."
Norman was extremely complimentary of Peyton Manning on Thursday, telling reporters he'd be willing to bow down to the Denver Broncos quarterback if he intercepted him in Super Bowl 50.
"He's 'The Sheriff,' man. I've admired him since I grew up," Norman said, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "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."
Norman has faced Manning just one other time in his career, as a rookie in 2012. Manning completed 27-of-38 passes for 301 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in the Broncos' 36-14 win.
Manning isn't the same quarterback he was back then, but Norman knows how much this game means to the future Hall of Famer.
"It's probably going to be his last game. I know he wants to go out with a bang," Norman said. "I'm rooting for him, but shoot, I want that ring. I'll do everything I can to minimize what he likes to do, but at the same time, I respect the heck out of the guy. We'll see what happens."
