So everyone is freaking out. Calling him a disgrace, animal, the n-word, a bad influence to kids, a thug, and on and on. Well here's what I think. This is just another prime example of the well-documented pussification of America. That and a mix of prejudice against people different than ourselves. Let's break down for second what everyone is so up in arms about shall we? Here's the transcript:
Sherman: Well, I'm the best corner in the league! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's what you're going to get! Don't you ever talk about me!
Erin: Who was talking about you?
Sherman: Crabtree! Don't you open your mouth about the best! Or I'm gonna shut it for you real quick! LOV!
So...what did he say wrong? I don't see any explicit words, no name-calling. Only intensity and loud boasting, obviously responding competitively to something Crabtree said earlier. So what's all the fuss about? That's why I say it's the pussification of America. If ANYONE does ANYTHING even a little out of the ordinary they get absolutely MAULED by people these days. What happened to the days where you could just speak and act without people freaking out about it? I just think everyone is hypersensitive these days. We live in a world of extremes. Rather than kids being allowed to get in harmless fistfights like they used to to settle their differences, now you either have people ostracized and sued for even looking at someone the wrong way, or you have them becoming murderers. It's unreal. We live in a society that is both hypersensitive and completely desensitized because of all the terrible things that happen all the time.
Listen, Richard Sherman is an intelligent dude. He writes thoughtful, articulate articles, you should read one (click here for link). He also is an embodiment of the American dream. Guy went from rags to riches. Literally from Compton to the most dominant pass defender in the NFL and a millionaire. He's the kind of guy we should all look up to. His drive and determination carried him over the obstacles that would have left so many of us living a wasted existence. And he plays a game of emotion with just that: EMOTION. See, problem is, most of you out there probably never played in a competitive game of football before. In between the lines you aren't the same person. You are a beast, an animal, a competitor, a winner. For 60 minutes you are taught to kill. Your one job is to beat your man, beat him into the ground, make him wish he'd never played football before. Where do you think all these head-to-head hits came from? I used to go head-to-head in HS every damn play. That's why it's good that they instituted the new rules to reduce head damage, but that's the point: as long as you are playing within the rules of the game, you can be as savage as you want. No, you need to be savage. That's what makes football so exciting and enjoyable. We all have an inner wildness that we need to appease. In today's world most of us have to appease it by watching others--that's why football is so popular. Some of us get to experience the rush ourselves in one form or another. The point is, he plays the game how it ought to be played. To the best of his ability, putting all of himself out there, mind, body, and spirit. I'll tell ya what: I like what Richard Sherman did. He gave us the interview we all want to see (especially Patriot fans), the kind where the player is still in a state of raw emotion. Fans love this, players love this, and God knows the media loves this. And guess what? No one got hurt. I don't think there's anything wrong with teaching kids who are watching to be confident in their abilities if they have them. Honestly, I don't think it can be put much better than the following article by Isaac Saul from the Huffington Post. If you have a problem with the way Sherman acted or what he said, maybe you're the one with the real issues (racism much?).
"...when Richard Sherman went on his rant to Erin Andrews, most of America thought they were learning about the arrogance of another NFL player. But in reality, what Richard Sherman did was teach us about ourselves. He taught us that we're still a country that isn't ready for lower-class Americans from neighborhoods like Compton to succeed. We're still a country that can't decipher a person's character. But most of all, he taught us that no matter what you overcome in your life, we're still a country that can't accept someone if they're a little louder, a little prouder, or a little different from the people we surround ourselves with.
In the words of the great Richard Sherman, there is only one question: You mad, bro?"
By Isaac Saul|The Huffington Post
You beat me to this post and good thing you did cause mine would of been completely different. You don't call out players like that. You leave that shit on the field. And the butt slap and handshake after the play? Ridiculous. If it was "sincere" like he says it was you wait till that clock says :00, no matter what.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see what you mean on that. I have no problem on agreeing to disagree on whether it's phenomenal sportmanship to call him out like that. Some people feel like a certain level of conduct needs to be kept, and I sort of agree with that, but I don't think he really crossed a line. He didn't even say anything bad about Crabtree other than that he was better. And he backed it up with a game-saving play. And keep in mind Crabtree was talkin shit too, just on on nearly as big of a stage.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, I think your opinion on that is as valid as mine. But where I think people go totally bonkers is when they start calling him names and shit that attack him as a person. Totally undeserved. He didn't hurt anyone and didn't attack Crabtree as a person. He just called out his abilities. And Crabtree will have plenty of chances to prove him wrong in the future.
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