Last weekend’s NFC championship game not only gave us a dramatic exchange between two of the conference’s best squads, but Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s deranged, WWE style, post game interview (Scream off).
“Well I’m the best corner in the game,” Sherman exclaimed to a rather taken back Erin Andrews, “When you come up against me with a sorry receiver like [Michael] Crabtree that’s what you gonna get.”
Needless to say the media has been abuzz about Sherman’s antics and lunatic response during the interview, but the truth is Sherman simply found himself in line with some even wilder postgame responses.
The triumph of victory and the agony of defeat can result in exaggerated and severely overclocked emotions for athletes and coaches; some of America’s highest paid entertainers.
In the 2008 NBA Finals, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics won the championship. KG’s response of “Anything is possible,” was even parodied by the Lonely Island. In the interview, Garnett’s is so emotional he cannot think of the words to say and a dramatic pause finally breaks to his now famous, primal proclamation.
Coaches are no different when it comes to handling the media. A coach behind a podium can be just as crazy, if not more, than the players on the field.
Mike Gundy is my favorite culprit. His 2007 explosion following an Oklahoma State win over Texas Tech is one of the most bezerk and delirious interviews ever. “I’m a man, I’m 40,” will ring loudly throughout the history of post-game explosions.
Oh, and while we’re on the topic of post-game interviews, can’t help but mention this gem from Kellen Winslow Jr. during his stint at Miami.
Everyone seems to be up in arms about how Richard Sherman handled himself after the game. Sure, he came across as rude, unsportsmanlike and well, psychotic. But remember, number 25 is not like you or me.
Professional athletes play games with each other and get paid mind blowing amounts of money for it. Sound anything like your life? Nope.
Richard Sherman doesn’t answer a post-game interview like you would because he’s nothing like you.
He doesn’t stress about bills and a looming repair on his 1997 Toyota Corolla that was a loaner from a cousin with 167,000 miles on it. He’s not caught up in applying to summer internships, and hoping to have a job that can allow him to make small contributions to a 401(k).
Sherman, like any other professional athlete, is a millionaire who is adored by an entire city because he is good at, in his case, deflecting passes.
When it comes to the off the rails post game interview, sit back and revel in the fact that it will be enshrined in YouTube glory for the decades that follow.
What were your thoughts on Richard Sherman’s post-game interview? Let Grey know what you think by emailing sports@dailycardinal.com.
