If you watched the NFC Championship game, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the last few seconds by a spectacular game-saving tip of a Colin Kaepernick pass to Michael Crabtree by Richard Sherman resulting in an interception in the end zone by Malcolm Smith, you know at the very end of the game Richard Sherman was approached by reporter Erin Andrews and gave an emotional outburst regarding his relationship with wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
This immediately caused a furor on every sports network, general networks, Twitter, Facebook, and comments all over the internet. Fans of football demonstrated their own passionate responses to this unfiltered answer to Ms. Andrews' question, and many of them weren't pretty.
You've heard the president of the United States use his race as a political trump card to garner sympathy and favor, but I'd be willing to bet he's never experienced the kind of crude racism that was leveled at Richard Sherman for his brief comments after the heat of battle.
Richard Sherman is a Stanford graduate from Compton, California, which Richard cleverly referred to as an oxymoron. He and his brother managed to live through their gangster neighborhood with their two wonderful, hard-working parents who took unfortunate kids into their home to rescue them from an area that chewed up and spit out youngsters or converted them to addicts, pushers, or killers.
In Seattle, Richard Sherman operates a foundation to help under-privileged kids and families called Blanket Coverage. He uses his own money and raises money to provide school supplies, clothes, Christmas gifts, and inspiration for children of all ages who need to hear they're worth something and have no limits on what they can accomplish in life if they'll dig in and try.
Richard Sherman had an off the field conflict with Michael Crabtree that spilled out after the game. Since that response which caused seismic activity in ugly, racist, classless commentary from opposing fans, Richard Sherman's apology has gone mostly unnoticed or ignored.
Erin Andrews later remarked favorably about Richard Sherman, acknowledging she'd met him before and knew he was a decent and good guy. Richard also apologized to Erin before the evening was over.
If you're one of those folks who choose to judge Richard by one outburst or his fiery play on the field, it's your choice, but around here in Seattle we know what kind of young man this guy is, and I have nothing but respect for Richard Sherman.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/20/richard-sherman-interview-michael-crabtree/
http://www.sportsradiokjr.com/pages/softy_page.html?article=11992549
Father, please continue to encourage those athletes who follow you. It's a viscious world, and we all need you desperately. Thank you for all the wondrous and diverse talents you pour into your people. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.