Seahawks cheer Richard Sherman's victory over NFL

• Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman had been suspended four games for violating the NFL's drug policy
• According to those with knowledge of the tests, Sherman tested positive for Adderall, a banned susbtance
• But Sherman argued the testing was flawed and an arbitrator ruled in his favor, so he will be eligible for the postseason

RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was asked Thursday if anything was new.

"Oh, same old, same old," he replied, grinning. "Just another day at the office."

Except it wasn't. Sherman, the second-year defensive back from Stanford named a Pro Bowl alternate Wednesday, was notified early Thursday morning that he won his appeal to overturn a four-game suspension handed down last month for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

As coach Pete Carroll might say, the locker room was juiced up.

"It was a sigh of relief for the whole team, just to know it was done and over with, could move on from it," Sherman said. "I just said, 'I won,' and everybody was happy, slapping hands. High-fives are as old school as it is, but it's still the best way to celebrate."

Sherman went to St. Louis to state his case last week before arbitrator and former St. Louis Rams executive Bob Wallace. He stated when he provided a urine sample on Sept. 17, the specimen cup had a leak, prompting the collector to use a second cup. Sherman's lawyers claimed this was a breach in protocol.

On Thursday, Sherman labeled the test results "corrupt."

"A lot of mistakes were made, on top of me not taking anything, which is kind of the big one," he said. "(The tester) made mistakes and did things wrong."

Added Maurice Suh, one of Sherman's lawyers: "We're very grateful the arbitrator recognized and fairly applied the rules in the case that govern this kind of hearing."

Despite always maintaining his innocence, the ultra-confident Sherman seemed resigned to losing his appeal as recently as Sunday. His lawyer explained Thursday.

"It's the NFL's job to overcome the presumption that everything was done properly," Suh said. "They were unable to do that. Historically, it hasn't mattered as much. That has always been a concern of ours, that the rules has been applied asymmetrically, that you have rules applied with great vigor to the players — which they should be, we're not arguing that — but it's if you're going to apply the rules that way to the players, you need to apply them in favor of the players too.

"It's only fair. That was a key piece in our case, not only did we have the facts, but we had a fair application of the rules."

Spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL is "reviewing the decision," but declined comment "due to the confidentiality provision of the program."

The Seahawks, glad to have one of their best players available for the postseason, had plenty to say.

"I'm glad he passed the appeal," safety Kam Chancellor said. "He's a game-changer, a playmaker. He talks a lot of trash, but he backs it up. We feed off his energy, which he takes to a whole another level."

Added quarterback Russell Wilson: "It helps a lot. Richard is a tremendous football player."

Once cornerback Brandon Browner returns next week from his four-game suspension for the same offense, the so-called "Legion of Boom" secondary will be back. If Sherman had lost the appeal, he wouldn't have been available for the playoffs, in which the Seahawks have clinched a least the fifth seed and can still win the NFC West with a win and a San Francisco loss on Sunday.