Richard Sherman 2.0, equally effective with less bravado

RENTON — A year after becoming infamous for a postgame rant, cornerback Richard Sherman sat at his locker after again playing a big role in a Seattle Seahawks’ NFC championship game victory.

It was a quiet moment, nothing like his diatribe directed at San Francisco 49ers’ receiver Michael Crabtree a year earlier. As Kevin Sherman chatted with Earl Thomas II, he also helped his injured son pull a shirt sleeve over an injured left arm. A few minutes earlier, surrounded by reporters, Sherman spoke for several minutes without saying anything inflammatory or controversial after again spending three hours being the best cornerback in the NFL.

This is Richard Sherman 2.0, equally effective as an elite athlete, with a little less bravado.

“I’ve just become cliche,” Sherman said a few days later. “I’ve just become really cliche.”

Sherman jests, of course. He may not stir things up as often anymore, but he is anything but cliche. He has, however, grown up a little bit since the last time he faced quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, grabbing national headlines after posting his now famous “U Mad Bro?” Tweet.

Sherman will still stick up for himself if he feels like he is being disrespected, but the rants, the Twitter feuds, the, as teammate Byron Maxwell put it, “Spazzing out on Skip Bayless,” those incidents have been rare this season.

“I think Richard is just evolving, he is evolving in this station of his life,” said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who has known Sherman since he tried to recruit him to USC out of Compton’s Dominguez High School. “He sees things differently than he did before because he’s grown. He’s experienced a lot and has been through a lot. He has a lot responsibility and he’s gained a lot of responsibility through his notoriety, and I think he’s handling it beautifully.”

Sherman was famous, by football player standards, before last year’s NFC championship game, but after that game and that rant, his profile went to an entirely different level. Over the months that followed Seattle’s Super Bowl victory, Sherman would not only sign a lucrative contract, he also was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, he was name-checked by President Barack Obama and he was put on the cover of the EA Sports’ Madden video game.

With all of that attention came a realization for Sherman: no matter how hard he tries, no matter what he proves, he will never make a believer out of everyone, so he can only use so much energy trying.

“It’s just growth, I think I’ve grown from (last year’s NFC championship postgame incident),” Sherman said. “You kind of learn about what you can say and what you can’t say obviously, what people are going to think of certain things, how judgmental people are, how some people, despite how imperfect they are, judge the world as if they’re perfect. And sometimes you just have to accept that and just take it with a grain of salt.

“You just have to sit there and smile and laugh it off because if you let those people get to you, and let those people get under your skin, then you’ll have a lifetime of proving people wrong who would never be able to prove you wrong in anything. You’re over here accomplishing things that people wouldn’t accomplish in their wildest dreams, and you’re trying to prove something to them. So at the end of the day, you’ve got to be true to yourself and true to what you’re about.”

That we’re seeing a more nuanced Sherman off the field is fitting, because his game on it has also been quieter, though just as effective. After intercepting 16 passes over the previous two seasons, Sherman was tested less frequently in 2014, and as a result his interceptions were cut in half.

He played just as well this season, however, and perhaps even better by adding improved run defense to his repertoire, and was named first-team All-Pro for the third straight year. He also has two interceptions this postseason in as many games.

The only thing missing from Sherman this year were rants and public feuds with fellow cornerbacks on Twitter. And to clarify, I’m on record as very much enjoying that side of Sherman, so none of this is to say this is a “better” version of Sherman as much it is just a different one.

A player who used to yell at anyone who would criticize his game, Sherman saved his biggest show this season to stick up for Marshawn Lynch after the running back earned a $100,000 fine for not talking to the media. That little skit featuring Sherman, Cardboard Doug Baldwin and real Doug Baldwin was an example what Sherman has spent much of this year trying to do, which is use his platform to help his teammates, whether that involved calling the NFL hypocritical in a skit with Baldwin or serving as Bobby Wagner’s unofficial Pro Bowl campaign manager.

“I didn’t want to distract from my teammates,” Sherman said. “I wanted my teammates to get more attention this year, and you kind of take that away from them sometimes. Not intentionally, obviously, but unintentionally, people want to pay attention to what you say. So if you say more cliche things, they pay more attention to Bobby Wagner and Kam Chancellor and Mike Bennett, guys who are playing fantastic football.”

Or maybe there’s a simpler explanation for what we’ve seen out of Sherman this year — he’s just being himself. Anyone who spends time around Sherman realized that those outbursts, those juicy quotes, those Twitter battles, they were the exception, not the rule when it came to Sherman. This season he has left most of that behind, meaning everyone else is seeing more of the player Sherman’s teammates have known all along.

“He’s still the same guy,” said Maxwell, who came to Seattle with Sherman as part of the 2011 draft class. “Those clips of Crabtree, him spazzing out on Skip Bayless, that’s what the public sees, but if you know Sherm, you know he’s a smart guy. He’s got his opinions, but he’s cool, he loves his teammates, so it’s all good. He’s always been the same guy with us.”

Herald Columnist John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.