Sherman was high

on adrenalin.

If you watched the 2014 NFC Championship football game of the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers, you most likely saw a sideline interview that seemed over the top. Even if you didn't watch the game, chances are you've seen at least parts of that interview by now.

But in case you haven't: Richard Sherman, who plays cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, was approached by a network sports reporter on the Seahawks sideline after he had just made a great play to help the Seahawks win, and also had a little altercation on the field with a 49ers player, Michael Crabtree.

Let me interject here that I am no expert on the game of football. I wouldn't even call myself a football fan in the conventional way. I enjoy watching a game if I'm interested in one of the teams, but I don't dye my hair blue or green, and I don't have any pom pons lying around the house, or one of those foam finger things. I have a journalism degree, concentration in print journalism, and even took a sports writing class while getting that degree. I have worked in a newspaper sports department, and I've interviewed athletes, and watched many sporting games, and written stories about them, but I have not played the game, nor do I pretend to know everything about football.

One thing I do know is that the players, especially football players, get wound up. They are on the field to win, and in a high stakes game such as this one, where the winner will go to the Super Bowl, it's intense. I like football, but what intrigues me is the way this Sherman interview has everyone so riled up.

I'm not even certain that the reporter knew what had just happened on the field. I honestly don't remember her question, but I remember Sherman's response, and it is now plastered all over cyberspace.

I was definitely pulling for a Seahawks win. But I'm not defending Sherman because he's a Seahawks player. I am defending him, though.
Sherman, who is only 25 years old BTW,  had just deflected a pass to Crabtree that could have resulted in a SF touchdown, and a SF win. Apparently Crabtree and Sherman had traded some trash-talk in the media the past couple of days, and it is very likely that some comments were exchanged during the game. In fact, I'd bet on that. It's normal and expected that players on opposing sides will taunt each other during a football game.

Sherman was pumped up, it was a close game for four quarters, and it was the most important game of the season. The win means a trip to New York to meet up with the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

There are pictures of Sherman offering his hand to Crabtree, and Sherman says he was offering a hand shake, and said, "Good game," to Crabtree. Crabtree's response? He shoved Sherman in the face.

And seconds later a microphone was in front of Sherman, a guy who loves to talk, loves to remind everyone that he is the best, and then makes the plays that back up his claims.

So let's examine the situation:
Lots of adrenalin, 25 years old, just made a major play to help win the game and get his team to the Super Bowl,  then was shoved in the face after a gesture of sportsmanship? Well, I think if someone placed a microphone in front of me after all of that I'd probably lose any filter I may have had prior to that moment.

At first it was difficult to understand what he was going on about.  "Don't you ever talk about me!" he shouted.
The reporter asked Sherman who was talking about him and he said "Crabtree!"

For those who have never played competitive sports, or never done anything that results in a lot of adrenalin, Sherman's tirade may not make sense.

His response to the reporter was a bit shocking, but taken in context, I understand it.

There are some good stories out there about Sherman. These are two of the ones I liked. They are long, but I found them interesting and well written. Imbedded in this story is a video clip of Sherman that shows his love of the game, and his work ethic.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/1/20/5319032/richard-sherman-interview-nfc-championship-2014

And here is another story about Sherman from SI:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1208083/1/index.htm

What I've learned about Sherman is that he's smart, he's driven, and he likes to inspire others to greatness. He also gives back to his community.

According to a poll I saw in the Washington Post, the Seahawks are hated by most of the country. The Sherman/reporter incident has generated negative remarks about him in social media, and on sports shows.
But I know this part of the country will be wearing blue and green, and hoping for some Sherman interceptions and for the Seahawks to shut down the Broncos on Feb. 2. (Sorry Peyton, I know you were a Volunteer, and I've followed your career ever since, but I have to fly my 12 flag this time.)

Klan Destine Relationships, by Daryl Davis

During Christmas break I read several books. We had two weeks off from doing school work, so I took advantage of my spare time.
Our pastor had mentioned Daryl Davis in a sermon, and referenced his book Klan Destine Relationships. It got my attention and I went to the library to find it. They had to order it from another system, and I received it in a few days.

It was an amazing story. Daryl Davis is a black man who is also a musician, and an active, practicing Christian.
Klan Destine Relationships chronicles his experience with bigotry from childhood to the time he wrote the book. Instead of meeting these hate-filled prejudiced people with what they were dishing out, Daryl Davis did what we are all commanded to do: He loved them.
And he also set out on a quest to understand them.
He had the ability to see past the hatred and view these people through a different lens. His utter respect for them was shocking; his generosity inspiring.
Klan Destine Relationships is a story of human love and understanding. I don't think I have it in me to be so brave, so loving, and so generous, even though it is my work as a Christians to do so.

It is not a piece of literature, but this book is a great read. Expect to get stirred up, and to be surprised.

Extreme Reactions

This is more of a commentary on reaction rather than the show, Downton Abbey.
I'm a Downton Abbey fan, and the most recent episode included one of my favorite characters being raped. (IF  you missed Episode 2 of Season 4, I apologize for the spoiler.)

It was difficult to watch, even though the scenes did not show any graphic evidence of what was happening.  There was a forceful smash of the man's mouth to hers, he handled her roughly, and the rest was left to the audience's imagination. Anna is a lady's maid, and her attacker was part of an entourage of help brought along by guests of the Granthams.

At the start of the show a message flashed on the screen which warned of scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion was advised.

This warning was sufficient for adults to usher children out of the room, however, I believe anyone who has suffered an attack similar to the one in this episode may have been caught off guard. There are similar scenes in other television shows and movies, and in my opinion, they are much more graphic.

While this scene was difficult for me to watch, it was equally as difficult for me to read some of the reactions posted on the Facebook page of our local PBS station. Some commenters were so outraged by this scene that they claim they will pull their funding. One mentioned pulling PBS out of their will.

When we lean too far in one direction, are quick to judge, quick to punish, quick to react without first taking a moment to understand, damage is done. In all things, we must seek to understand first, then carefully react.

Unfortunately, if these people who made the claims follow through, our local PBS station will lose money. I'm not so sure it will be enough to lead to a cut in programming, but I do not understand this reaction.

If these newly former PBS donors believe for a moment that they aren't supporting far worse, they need to wake up.

PBS relies on public money, but the corporate television stations rely on it as well. They just get it in a different way.

If you purchase Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Palmolive dish detergent, Hane's underwear, Pampers, Foldger's coffee, Duracell batteries, or any other product that runs commercials on television, including some local merchants, then you are supporting programming that includes violence against women, men and children. Even if you are one of the people who have started buying local, natural and organic products, chances are you are still buying something that is supporting mainstream television programming.

I have boycotted certain companies when facts showed their business practices do not align with my values, because I didn't want my money funding such practices.

We all have the right to give or withhold our money, but either way it should be done after careful consideration.

It was one episode of one television show.