Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is loud. Richard Sherman is proud. Most importantly, though, Richard Sherman doesn’t care what you may think of his postgame interview after his Seahawks beat their divisional rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, to clinch a spot in the Super Bowl.
In a most candid interview, one that will likely rival Bart Scott’s “Can’t Wait” speech he delivered after his New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots in the 2011 playoffs, Sherman railed against “sorry” receiver Michael Crabtree, whom he had just gone up against and gotten the better of after Sherman tipped a pass intended for Crabtree in the end zone.
The interview was fiery, and Fox producers elected to end the interview after two questions for fear that Sherman would slip a swear word in. The usual Twitter firestorm ensued, with many calling Sherman a “thug,” while others rushed to his defense.
The truth is, Sherman is not a thug. He had many chances to be, as he grew up in Compton, Calif., a hotbed for gang activity and other forms of unsavory violence. Instead, he played football at and graduated from Stanford, one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
The rest is history, as he is now the “best corner in the league.” His words.
Now, that statement is not untrue. Everyone knows he is the best cornerback in the National Football League – partly because it is true, but mainly because he never fails to remind us all every time he has an audience.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with speaking the truth. Muhammad Ali was famous for telling everyone he was the best. Some liked it. Others hated it. Ali and Sherman walked the walk, but is it necessary to talk the talk as well if the former is true also?
After the game, reports surfaced that Crabtree attempted to fight Sherman at a charity event before the 2013 season. Whether or not that is true, months have passed since the alleged incident, and the embers should have died down by now. Sherman also clarified that Crabtree talked trash on the field Sunday.
Uttering trash talk on an NFL field? It can’t be so.
Except it is, and Sherman knows that better than anyone. Trash talk should stay on the field where it belongs. Ripping a “sorry” receiver when he’s not there to defend himself goes a little too far.
In totality, Sherman is a likable person. He’s fun to watch, both on and off the field. His charitable acts are both numerous and documented. Call it getting carried away, but I would have liked to see a bit more restraint after Sunday’s game.
