Seattle Seahawks: Thoughts on Richard Sherman
By Todd Pheifer
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman hoists the George Halas Trophy after the 2013 NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks are headed to the Super Bowl to face the Denver Broncos. Who got them there? A lot of people, but in the end it was Richard Sherman.
Russell Wilson played a key role, as did Marshawn Lynch. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse made spectacular catches. However, it was Sherman who tipped the Colin Kaepernick pass away from Michael Crabtree.
And it is Sherman who has been making headlines across the country. Not just for his great play, but for his postgame “rant.”
Now, was it the best choice of words? Probably not. Was it vintage Richard Sherman? Absolutely.
Sherman has since apologized for some of his comments. Pete Carroll has apparently reminded Sherman to keep the focus on the team, even though I doubt that Mr. Sherman really wanted to make it about him. That isn’t what Sherman is about. Sherman is a team player.
It is easy for us common people to sit back and say, “I wouldn’t have done it that way.” However, we don’t have any idea what it is like to be in Sherman’s shoes. He just made the play of his career, and we expect him to be calm?
Don’t misunderstand. I won’t defend him for singling out Crabtree. That wasn’t the best of decisions, but Sherman admitted as much. Also, I’m not going to excuse the comments because they were said in the “heat of the moment.” That is a poor excuse, just like when people say “it just happened.” Nothing just happens.
Sherman is too smart not to know what he is doing.
Part of the problem is that sometimes we don’t really know what we want. Postgame interviews can be incredibly dull, just like many interviews in sports. When the interview is dull, we complain and suggest that it would be nice to hear some honest, candid comments.
Well, you got candid and you got honest.
Here is the other question. Let’s assume that Sherman jumps late, Crabtree catches the pass, and the 49ers win. After the game it is Crabtree that is being interviewed by Erin Andrews. Is it possible that Crabtree throws Sherman under the bus at that point? It wouldn’t be a shock.
Love him or hate him, Richard Sherman is not going to change. Honestly, if you are a fan of the Seahawks you don’t want him to change. Sherman is driven, and as long as he is driven he is going to make great plays. He may do his share of talking, but so far he has backed it up. If he can successful thwart Peyton Manning, he can rant all he wants.
Keep up the great work, Mr. Sherman. Any chance you could follow Emerald City Swagger on Twitter? After all, we have “Swagger” in common.