With Super Bowl XLVIII (Forty-Eight for those whose eyes just got crossed) staring us in the face, all eyes will be on Richard Sherman and his performance against arguably the best quarterback to ever pass the pork, Peyton Manning. Though the dread-headed corner talks big, check the statistics and his game surely matches up with the verbal assault that is seen on a game-by-game basis. With 20 interceptions in only three years, his game is actually doing more talking than he is if you think about it.
While Sherman has an impressive resume, it has been his social media presence and on-camera exchanges that cause people to pay attention to the 2011 fifth round pick. The face of the Seattle Seahawk’s Legion of Boom will cause the average person to either hate him or love him. Many people were shocked after his classic Hulk Hogan/Macho Man Randy Savage rant that followed their win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game. But considering his track record, his raw post-game outburst really shouldn’t have been that big of a surprise. Even if sideline reporter, Erin Andrews, was looking at him as if she was saying “Awkwaaaard” to herself, the Compton native has never let anyone get in the way of a little macho confrontation.
The legend of Richard Sherman began to grow in week 6 of the 2012 season after Seahawks beat the New England Patriots. Everyone remembers the viral meme he tweeted of him in Tom Brady’s face that read “You Mad Bro?” With a comedic and what some may call a brash (or even cocky), debut into the national spotlight, the verbal jab aimed at NFL royalty left people asking “who does this dude think he is?”
But don’t get it twisted, with being mouthy comes the reactions from those who don’t take kindly to it and will slap you upside the head old school grandma style. Sherman learned the hard way after defeating the Washington Redskins in the NFC Wild Card game later that season. Number 25 was introduced to the mush-punch by Skins offensive lineman, Trent Williams, as the players exchanged their “good games” at mid-field and went their separate ways following the game. The following week, Quarterback, Matt Ryan and Wide Receiver, Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons took the less physical approach and just simply gave Sherman “that work” to put a lid on his big boy talk. Ryan lit the Seahawks up for three touchdowns and White got the better of Sherman after beating him on a 47-yard bomb down the middle of the field after playing a decent game up to that point. With many confident finger waves to the crowd throughout the game after batting passes away, Sherman was quickly humbled. As the Seahawks season ended, all he could do was get on the floor, find his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears so he could put his face back together.
Despite the loss, he surely didn’t forget about those who may have sent some criticism his way and was ready to verbally box with anyone who threw salt on his name. This was highlighted in the offseason during his venom spewing interview that was directed at Skip Bayless of ESPN’s First Take. Though he remained level throughout the conversation, he was live and direct once he told Bayless “you’ve never accomplished anything” and “I am better at life than you,” while throwing several other darts at his character and professional career. This only added to the lore of Sherman being outspoken and as candid as a five-year old with voicing what’s on his mind.
Although Sherman has been on good behavior for the most part this season, his recent rant has people rubbernecking at him to see what he’ll do next. It’s always been said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Sherman definitely has the power. With back-to-back eight interception seasons, he’s a shoe-in for the “shutdown corner” conversation. By being the most notable Pro-Bowl elect out of the Seahawks secondary, quarterbacks have the weak stomach of Willie Beamen in the huddle BEFORE the Miami Sharks started winning. However, Manning makes most powerless and will be the biggest test and responsibility for Sherman to date. If he aces it, the “sshhhh” over the facemask of his helmet will silence all haters and critics. But if he fails, naysayers will come out of the woodwork and the media will treat him like minced meat. Either way, another chapter to the autobiography of Richard Sherman will be written.
-Clinton Jackson
