Trash Talk Troubles: The Richard Sherman Story

Life just feels a little empty when football season ends.  The 2013-14 NFL season ended with the Seattle Seahawks winning the Superbowl, but it was their star corner Richard Sherman who stole the headlines.  Sherman became an overnight celebrity thanks to an infamous post-game interview he gave after the Seahawks clinched the NFC title game against the San Francisco 49ers.  

 Sherman's controversial interview after the NFC Championship game 

against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 22, 2014 (Courtesy of Youtube, Fox Sports). 

This incident is nothing new in the life of Richard Sherman.  Fans who have kept up with with the all-pro defender know that this rant on national TV was just Sherman up to his usual trash-talking antics.  Most fans also know that Richard Sherman is more than capable of backing up his trash-talk with his stellar play on the football field.  Even the recent controversial post-game interview came just moments after Sherman deflected San Francisco's final pass intended for receiver Michael Crabtree, which sealed the victory for the Seahawks.  

 Sherman (right) deflecting the game-winning pass intended for
WR Michael Crabtree in the NFC Championship game
on Jan. 22, 2014.  (Photo: Wall Street Journal)

Sherman was immediately met with criticism for his trash-talking rant.  Commentators said that Sherman's actions reflected the worst aspects of the sport and showed a blatant disregard for sportsmanship.   Sherman's behavior was blasted for being a poor representative of competitive conduct in professional sports, and he quickly became a villain in the eyes of many observers.

I personally do not understand all the uproar about Sherman's incident.  This is not the first time an athlete has trash-talked an opponent in front of a national audience; it's not even the first time Richard Sherman has done so.  Great athletes throughout history are not only known for their trash-talk and competitive spirit; they are also praised for it.  

Clips of Muhammed Ali's greatest trash talking moments

One of the most celebrated professional trash-talkers of all time is none other than Muhammed Ali, arguably the greatest boxer and one of the most iconic athletes of all time.  Ali was known for often engaging in colorful wordplay and trash-talk before fights.  He would poke fun at his opponents and applaud himself as being significantly more talented than any of his competitors.  Trash-talking was a big part of Muhammed Ali's persona as a professional athlete.  Fans loved to hear Ali hype up his upcoming matches and confidently declare himself to be the greatest fighter alive.  It is a big part of why Ali is still remembered as a legendary fighter today.  

"Im ready to back up everything I'm saying.  I'm through talking"

- Muhammed Ali

I think the quote above is crucial. This is what sets apart distasteful and rude commentary from competitive trash-talk in a professional setting.  Muhammed Ali was fantastic with his words and comments, but he was even better as a competitor in the ring.  He wouldn't mention a competitor by name unless they he truly wanted to compete against them.  For Ali, trash-talk was simply a way to help him fuel and augment professional competition, and not a way to berate or humiliate opponents.  Sports commentators at the time had no problem with this; they heralded Ali as a legendary competitor, both for his words and for the actions that backed them up.  

Ali standing above boxer Sonny Liston after a first-round
knockout in a 1965 fight.  (Photo: Monroe Gallery)

So what makes Muhammed Ali any different from Richard Sherman when it comes to trash-talk?  I'm personally unsure, and do not see any reason the two should be evaluated differently.  Ali would get in front of national audiences throughout his career and make inflammatory comments to help fuel the competition he engaged in.  His comments were loud, colorful, and borderline hurtful, but it was clear that the context in which Ali trash-talked was professional, and not personal.  It was also clear that Ali was more than capable of defending his words, and that earned him respect and adoration within his sport.   Muhammed Ali was not a villain, rather he was a fierce competitor. His drive to win was reflected in his words, and demonstrated in his actions.

Sherman surrounded by reporters on Superbowl XLVIII
media day, Jan. 28 2014 (Photo: Mashable)

Everything I described about Muhammad Ali can be said of Richard Sherman.  Yes, he gets loud and sounds angry when he speaks.  Sure, he trash-talks his opponents significantly more than the average NFL player.  That doesn't mean Sherman is a villain, nor is he looking to attack someone on a personal level.  Ali used to call his opponents "bums", "tramps", and "ugly" before he fought them.  All Sherman said was that he was "the best corner in the game" and that Michael Crabtree was "a mediocre receiver".  Those comments were backed up by Sherman's performance on the field.

It is sad that Sherman's game against the 49ers will be remembered for a few seconds of colorful interview airtime, as opposed to his incredible, game-winning play against Crabtree.  Commentators may be calling him a villain, but I believe by the time his career is over, Richard Sherman will be remembered as "the best corner in the game", not only because he declared himself so, but because he earned the accolade through his hard work, talent, and competitive drive on the field.