Have you ever wondered why players are given downtime after the game? Well Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s interview with FOX Sports’s Erin Andrews is a prime example.
Players are given time so that they can collect their thoughts and aren’t just spitting venom.
The interview took place just minutes after Sherman leaped up to break up a pass from San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernik to wide receiver Michael Crabtree that helped secure the win for the Seahawks.
Ultimately, Sherman made a really great play on the ball. He came across his own body to rob the 49ers of a Super Bowl berth. Sherman did have underneath help from the linebacker, so he was not one-on-one with Crabtree. If Sherman just knocks the ball down there, the 49ers have plenty of time left to move the ball down the field. However, the ball was deflected into the arms of linebacker Malcolm Smith and the Seahawks took possession.
I don’t have a problem with the emotions of Sherman’s rant, but the theatrics behind his statements are what makes him look arrogant and selfish.
He put himself in front of the team. I will never understand how guys can do that. Yes we know you made a good play but thank Smith for being the one to intercept the ball. He wasn’t respecting his opponent or teammates in that interview and despite what she said after the fact, I think he frightened Andrews.
Sherman really might be the best corner in football but that doesn’t make his statements okay.
Michael Crabtree, for instance, isn’t a mediocre receiver, at least in my opinion. Crabtree was drafted in the first round in 2009. He only played in five games this year due to a torn Achilles that forced him to miss most of the season. The season prior to his injury, Crabtree had over 1,000 receiving yards and was in the top 15 for receiving yards among all NFL wide receivers.
Sherman, since being drafted in 2011, tops the league in interceptions and is an intimidating back to have in the secondary.
From a journalist’s point of view, Sherman’s interview was entertaining and in some ways refreshing. Journalists are always writing down the same old, boring quotes, so it’s nice when an athlete actually opens up. Sherman’s quotes showed his real, raw emotion from that moment.
As fans do we not want these kind of responses? Sometimes I think society would rather live hidden behind a wall than hear the truth. Personally, I would rather hear the truth than some bold face lie.
My biggest thing with the whole ordeal is the lack of respect Sherman’s statements show. Trash talk all you want and back it up, but at the end of the day you have to respect your fellow competitor. I’m not saying Sherman doesn’t respect the rest of his competitors but that’s just the way his interview made it seem.
At the end of the day, a lot of eyes will be on Richard Sherman leading up to and during the Super Bowl.
