NFL Thread 2013-2014
- Thread starter Karl Hungus
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[article]RENTON, Wash. -- Richard Sherman isn't who you think he is.
He isn't any of the awful things he's being called on Twitter these days.
He isn't a gangster or a punk or a moron or a classless jerk.
And, in all honesty, before I became the Seahawks reporter for ESPN.com's NFL Nation this season, I thought a few of those things, too.
I hadn't met Sherman personally and knew him only from his arrogant ways on national television and his occasional taunting of his opponents. He seemed like one of those pampered professional athletes who cared only about himself.
I'm here to tell you, it just isn't true.
As someone who interacts with Sherman on a regular basis, I can say, unequivocally, that he is as nice a guy as you could ever meet. He goes out of his way to be cooperative and courteous to anyone who needs a moment of his time.
Sherman also is one of the most intelligent young men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is a proud graduate of Stanford, one of the most prestigious academic universities in the world.
He is a rare individual who managed to overcome his station in life, growing up in L.A.'s Compton neighborhood, a place where danger lurks, on every corner, at every moment.
That environment comes with people constantly doubting you, a feeling Sherman knows all too well. So he enters each day wanting to show those doubters they were wrong.
And, sometimes, it gets the best of him, as it did after Sunday's emotional 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Sherman made the game-saving play at the end, showing his athleticism in tipping away a pass in the end zone intended for 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, which linebacker Malcolm Smith intercepted for the Seahawks.
That's when Sherman lost his composure in the excitement of the moment. He failed to take the high road and reverted to his bad-boy image.
“I'm the best corner in the game," Sherman yelled in a Fox Sports interview moments after the game. “When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're gonna get. Don't you ever talk about me. Don't you open your mouth about the best or I'm gonna shut it for you real quick.”
So Sherman let it fly and fed into all the perceptions people have of him. He apologized on Monday, but probably made a lot of people Broncos fans for the Super Bowl.
That doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but it's sad that Sherman's national reputation is so different from the person he is, a truly giving and passionate guy who dedicates himself to underprivileged kids growing up in the same environment he faced. He tells them, "If I can do it, you can do it."
Sherman is an emotional man. Those emotions are heightened in the heat of a game.
“We did sit down and talk about it,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday. “I want him to present himself in his best light. He's an incredible kid. He really cares and has great awareness. He's a very thoughtful person, but he knows he caused a stir.
“He was really clear [in their meeting] that the last thing he wanted to do was take something away from what our team has accomplished. He got caught in the throes of the battle, particularly for a guy who plays on such an edge, emotionally, like Richard does.”
One of the many things I have learned in more than 30 years of covering sports is that an athlete's public image often differs enormously from who he or she is away from the public eye.
An athlete can come across as Santa Claus when the camera lights are on but be closer to the Grinch when no cameras are around.
Sherman is the opposite side of that equation, an ogre to some in his national persona but a man you would be proud to call your friend if you knew him away from the limelight.
Sherman made a mistake Sunday night, but he isn't the person you think he is.[/article]
He isn't any of the awful things he's being called on Twitter these days.
He isn't a gangster or a punk or a moron or a classless jerk.
And, in all honesty, before I became the Seahawks reporter for ESPN.com's NFL Nation this season, I thought a few of those things, too.
I hadn't met Sherman personally and knew him only from his arrogant ways on national television and his occasional taunting of his opponents. He seemed like one of those pampered professional athletes who cared only about himself.
I'm here to tell you, it just isn't true.
As someone who interacts with Sherman on a regular basis, I can say, unequivocally, that he is as nice a guy as you could ever meet. He goes out of his way to be cooperative and courteous to anyone who needs a moment of his time.
Sherman also is one of the most intelligent young men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is a proud graduate of Stanford, one of the most prestigious academic universities in the world.
He is a rare individual who managed to overcome his station in life, growing up in L.A.'s Compton neighborhood, a place where danger lurks, on every corner, at every moment.
That environment comes with people constantly doubting you, a feeling Sherman knows all too well. So he enters each day wanting to show those doubters they were wrong.
And, sometimes, it gets the best of him, as it did after Sunday's emotional 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Sherman made the game-saving play at the end, showing his athleticism in tipping away a pass in the end zone intended for 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, which linebacker Malcolm Smith intercepted for the Seahawks.
That's when Sherman lost his composure in the excitement of the moment. He failed to take the high road and reverted to his bad-boy image.
“I'm the best corner in the game," Sherman yelled in a Fox Sports interview moments after the game. “When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're gonna get. Don't you ever talk about me. Don't you open your mouth about the best or I'm gonna shut it for you real quick.”
So Sherman let it fly and fed into all the perceptions people have of him. He apologized on Monday, but probably made a lot of people Broncos fans for the Super Bowl.
That doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but it's sad that Sherman's national reputation is so different from the person he is, a truly giving and passionate guy who dedicates himself to underprivileged kids growing up in the same environment he faced. He tells them, "If I can do it, you can do it."
Sherman is an emotional man. Those emotions are heightened in the heat of a game.
“We did sit down and talk about it,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday. “I want him to present himself in his best light. He's an incredible kid. He really cares and has great awareness. He's a very thoughtful person, but he knows he caused a stir.
“He was really clear [in their meeting] that the last thing he wanted to do was take something away from what our team has accomplished. He got caught in the throes of the battle, particularly for a guy who plays on such an edge, emotionally, like Richard does.”
One of the many things I have learned in more than 30 years of covering sports is that an athlete's public image often differs enormously from who he or she is away from the public eye.
An athlete can come across as Santa Claus when the camera lights are on but be closer to the Grinch when no cameras are around.
Sherman is the opposite side of that equation, an ogre to some in his national persona but a man you would be proud to call your friend if you knew him away from the limelight.
Sherman made a mistake Sunday night, but he isn't the person you think he is.[/article]
Sherman's jersey is now one of the top 10 most selling jerseys ... Only defensive player in the list.
Zzzzzzzzzz
R
RedZeppelin III
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as a 49ers fan i fucking hate seattle . Not enjoying this .
Denver tackling like it's the Big 12 and shit.
Never saw that one coming, not that I did not think Seattle could win, but fuck me that was total domination. I am amazed how a team who plays a sport at the highest level possible, can just come out and lay an egg in the biggest game they will probably ever play in.
One of the best defenses ever ... Incredible.
This team has a legitimate shot to be a dynasty ... Incredible. Pete Carroll ... ha ha, I guess he can coach the pros after all!
This team has a legitimate shot to be a dynasty ... Incredible. Pete Carroll ... ha ha, I guess he can coach the pros after all!
They should ditch drug programmes in the pros. I'd love to see linebackers charging around absolutely roaring on beak.
Poor Peyton, I think he is a classy enough dude, just a choke artist of the highest order.
I also see Jon Fox is escaping any blame for the outcome. I never thought much of him as a coach anyway, but Pete dominated his ass the whole game. He goes for it on 4th down in the 1st half instead of taking a field goal and sure points, then in the second half down 29, just into Seattle territory and he punts. I guess he was worried about point differential.
I also see Jon Fox is escaping any blame for the outcome. I never thought much of him as a coach anyway, but Pete dominated his ass the whole game. He goes for it on 4th down in the 1st half instead of taking a field goal and sure points, then in the second half down 29, just into Seattle territory and he punts. I guess he was worried about point differential.
The thing that I can't fathom is to why Denver had made no plans for what Percy Harvin was going to bring to the table.
Anyways Denver had this arrogant approach all year of we don't care if ye score we'll score more.
It might work against Chiefs and Chargers not against those beast nfc defences.
Niners would have done the same to Denver.
Anyways Denver had this arrogant approach all year of we don't care if ye score we'll score more.
It might work against Chiefs and Chargers not against those beast nfc defences.
Niners would have done the same to Denver.
I really think they thought Harvin would get hurt the first time he got tackled and they would not have to worry about him, he played more in the Super Bowl than he did the rest of the season combined, but they still should have game planned for him. They did not even try to establish the run, which is critical when playing against a secondary like that. Then they had no answer for Wilson's scrambling ability, especially on 3rd down, which again is strange because he has been doing it all year to everybody.
Its like you say, they thought they would show up and Seattle would turnover for the greatness of Manning and the brilliance of Jon Fox, so they never even bothered to even watch film of Seattle. They had no answers for anything, and they did nothing well themselves in the biggest game of the season, very pathetic.
Its like you say, they thought they would show up and Seattle would turnover for the greatness of Manning and the brilliance of Jon Fox, so they never even bothered to even watch film of Seattle. They had no answers for anything, and they did nothing well themselves in the biggest game of the season, very pathetic.
That first Harvin play was hilarious. Knighton needed a rewind, he was about six seconds behind even knowing Harvin had the ball, let alone getting a mitt on him when he came off the outside.
Couple of week to the combine. People talking about Clowney clocking four forty-five in the dash. Don't see that happening, but can you imagine if Al was still here and saw that shit?
Still can't see past a QB for Houston. I know they took Williams over Young, but Bridgewater ain't Vince Young. I guess they could be looking at a trade, but Kirk Cousins is the only one out there that seems even halfway promising. I've got as much pro experience as Ryan Mallett. That would be an odd move. And letting a QB slide to the second round would probably mean ending up with Mettenberger or Carr. Good luck with that.
Still can't see past a QB for Houston. I know they took Williams over Young, but Bridgewater ain't Vince Young. I guess they could be looking at a trade, but Kirk Cousins is the only one out there that seems even halfway promising. I've got as much pro experience as Ryan Mallett. That would be an odd move. And letting a QB slide to the second round would probably mean ending up with Mettenberger or Carr. Good luck with that.
