My op-ed in the Boston Herald today concerns the boorish and unsportsmanlike Richard Sherman. It also concerns the boorish and unsportsmanlike me.
After the Seahawks-Niners game on Sunday, I (like much of the known world) hit the internet and started posting opinion concerning Mr. Sherman. If you don't know Mr. Sherman, or if you're wondering why anyone might be upset at him, here is his interview from just after the end of the game.
I think the way he presented himself, and the things he said, both in that interview and in further interviews in the locker room (as well as the choke sign he made at S.F. quarterback Colin Kaepernick) completely embodies most of what's wrong with professional sports today. On Facebook, I said many unkind things concerning Mr. Sherman. The things I said were pretty much as brutal as anything Mr. Sherman said; maybe even a bit more so. And, as the old saying goes, two wrongs do not make a right.
Anyway, please read my op-ed and see what you think. If you like the words, thank you.
One more thing: I have MY WIFE to thank for the impetus to write the op-ed. She wondered about all the vitriol, we discussed it, and she suggested that perhaps it would be a good subject. She was right.
Soon, with more better stuff.
18 comments:
I think Sherman needs to checked into the boards a few times. Wait. Wrong sport.
Never mind.
Buck - Can you imagine anyone saying similar in hockey and not being handed his head on a platter? No, neither can I.
Two entirely different worlds, Jim... if not separate dimensions.
Can you imagine Richard Sherman on skates?
Side note:
The incident in question only reinforces my attitude toward the university from which the individual graduated.
I agree that Richard Sherman acted like a complete tool, but I can't assume that the 49ers wouldn't have done/said similar things had they won. Colin Kaepernick's self-love celebration is as obnoxious as anything I've seen since Terell Owens was pulling sharpies out of his shoes and spiking the ball on the Cowboys' star (actually that as kind of cool).
So at least we get to see a different jackass in this year's SB. That said, I hope Peyton Manning & co. shut Sherman up.
My opinion of Sherman's antics are somewhat mitigated by my opinion that Michael Crabtree is even more unprofessional in his on-and-off the field demeanor and as such, I can understand why Sherman went off in such a manner. That said, Sherman would've been better served, in my opinion, to let his play speak for itself.
Unless, of course, his entire purpose was to draw attention to himself during the pre-Super Bowl hoopla, in which case . . . mission accomplished.
Great post Jim. I seem to have stirred up a hornets nest when I brought up the subject of NFL narcissists today, too. Thinking back to the true NFL greats over the years, they let their actions speak for them.
IMO, if you have to tell someone how great you are, you aren't.
S
I utterly despise our athlete worshiping culture and at least 90% of the morons who are paid millions. To play. A. Game.
And despise the fact that the NFL is a NON PROFIT organization. We, the taxpayers, are subsidizing this kind of behavior and these kinds of people for our children to look up to.
Not a very pretty picture.
Having crawled into a sports-free shell several years ago, none of this hoopla is of interest -- in and of itself. I did read your published article (way to go, Jim!)to enlighten myself. The Sherman diatribe reminded me of why I crawled into that shell in the first place. Athletic mud-slinging just keeps getting worse.
Keep on keeping on!
I hope that the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl.
I have always liked Manning.
I agree with one of your followers who said, "If you have to tell someone how great you are, you aren't." Sherman isn't.
I wonder if his teammates support his tirade(s)? Just wonderin'.
Jackie
First, why didn't they cut the comments off? Erin Andrews just couldn't handle him. Second, Stanford faculty, students and even the President should issue an apology for a feckless alum (and either make his transcript public or rescind his degree—if he ever got one.)
You are a smart man to listen to your WIFE...which is just another reason I like you so much. Congrats on your honesty and your publication!
big wages, seem to spill over and create big ego, bog head and BIG FAT mouth!!
mind you we have the same in soccer here..its a travesity to the sport..make it about the game and not the players ego and 'celebrity'
timeo for a change... its all implding...
saz x
It was an utterly boorish display, but given the nature of football in the last 10-20 years, surely we're not surprised. Eloquent good sportsmanship is the exception today.
Remember the days when there were no end-zone dances, and no silly displays after a quarterback sack? Football has become a live cartoon, and other sports are all following suit, it seems.
The expression on that poor reporter's face was priceless...
Your article is excellent. I especially loved this: "The NFL has more ego-driven psychopaths per square inch than just about any group of humans outside of Congress."
SO TRUE
xoxo
I wonder how long till someone else opts to interview him. Probably pretty soon.. tantrums get attention.
I know nothing about american football since my sons moved out, so can't judge on this. But by calling this chap a jerk in print in the BH, can you be sued for libel??? Or is it the BH's responsibility as they printed it? Just wondering.
Shammickite - The truth is never libelous :-)
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