Sherman Detractors are Hypocrites

After the NFC Championship game last Sunday, the focus was not on the great comeback or Russell Wilson’s precision throws or Marshawn Lynch’s bull-dozing runs or even the Seahawks defense becoming stout in the fourth quarter.  The focus was (and still is) the player that made the biggest play of the game; but for all the wrong reasons.

Courtesy: LA Times

Richard Sherman has repeatedly proven to be the best cornerback in the NFL, topped off with that fantastic tip he made in the end zone to finish the 49ers season. Yet the spectacle just began with the final whistle.  After he approached his opponent after that play, Michael Crabtree, offering a handshake, he received  a 15 yard personal foul for unsportsmanlike for throwing up the universal choke symbol towards the niners and Colin Kaepernick.

But that’s not the story, that’s not the headline, that’s not the attention grabber.  Sherman added a lot of Twitter followers and social media haters a like with just a few sentences.  Erin Andrews stuck a microphone in the boisterous and overly-anxious cornerback’s face immediately after the game had ended.

That’s where we all witnessed “internet gold” as the Seattle shit-talker exclaimed, “Well, I’m the best corner in the game, When you try me with a sorry receiver like [Michael] Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get. Don’t you ever talk about me!” He went on to explain whom he was referring to, “Crabtree…Don’t you talk about the best, or I’m going to shut it for you real quick.”

That’s when everyone headed to their social media accounts and the majority pronounced Sherman to be a “thug” or “douche” or “classless.”  Many proclaimed they were “disgusted” or “sickened” by the All-Pros actions. How could he present himself in such a brass and abrasive fashion? How can you simply act like that on national television?

Well most do not realize that is all part of the Stanford grads (in Communications none-the-less) persona; a representation of himself to build up his brand.  Everything Sherman does is “calculated,” as he has personally pronounced via his Twitter account.

My problem does not come from the Seahawks corner or even the way he handled that moment.  My problem lies with those who like to hand judgement down on that player, while wallowing in hypocrisy.  Was Sherman wrong for the way he acted? Probably. Was he an embarrassment for the Seahawks organization? Sure. Was a poor representation of a professional for children to idolize? Absolutely.

But do not act like you are above that type of behavior as a fan, because at one point or another, no matter which team garners your allegiance, you have rooted for a “Richard Sherman.” Every team has an ass; a player that always mouths off at the wrong moment, says the inappropriate things or just displays unsportsmanlike and unprofessional behavior on and off the field.

I dare you to look back and say your team has been immune to those types of players.  Even more importantly, I dare you to look into your own conscious and tell yourself you have never cheered on that jerk for your own team.  Whether you shouted as Desean Jackson fell backwards into the endzone for the Eagles, or watch DeAngelo Hall pick fights with everyone on the field for the Redskins, or teared up as Ray Lewis came onto the field, for no godly reason, except to dance on the last play of his final home game (while the Colts were stuck watching) for the Ravens.  Whether you celebrated Deion Sanders high step into, or applauded T.O. for spiking the ball of the 50 yard line in Dallas or laughed when Chad Johnson sent Pepto Bismol to the Browns defensive backs.  You did so as a fan, and as such cannot pass judgement on other players that act unbecoming to a professional athlete simply because you have no rooting interest for them.

The problem only gets worse, as parents buy themselves and their children jersey’s of rapist, drug addicts, murderers, abusers, dog-fighters and in general criminals. Yet Richard Sherman, a player who went to college on his 4.1 GPA, not his athletic ability, as the bad guy; the villain of the NFL. The opinion of a fan are simply based on rooting interest of that person, not their better judgement.  Sherman is actually an upstanding citizen off the field, with his charitable work and educated attempts at writing and promotion. He has never been arrested, never been accused of any wrong-doing (except popping one too many ADD pills).

Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN

Richard Sherman may be a loud-mouth ass, he may be an embarrassment to his franchise, teammates and fans; but so are hundreds of other players in the NFL.  It is very simple; if you have a problem with the actions of one particular player, then you cannot celebrate similar antics for another player that helps “your” team every Sunday. That’s called being a hypocrite; a boundary we have all crossed at some point, as sports fans.