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.)