Richard Sherman

[Jocephus]

i doubt his seahawk teammates were that upset they weren't mentioned

[Jocephus]

He's an MBA student at Stanford. He understands marketing and branding. In the NFL, especially on defense, it's hard to establish a personal brand hiding behind those face masks. He did something to stand out. Now he's probably the most recognizable defensive player in the league.

Of course, he's also receiving death threats, people are calling him a [expletive] all over the place, and he's been called a "thug" on national tv more times than Anwar al-Assad.

The death threats are stupid.

As far as the thug comments, what did he expect? If you behave like a violent person, people are going to view you as a violent person. Either own it or don't.

wouldnt everyone who plays football, a notoriously violent game, be considered a thug? he spoke for 15 secs. there is no doubt he's getting the word thug because he's black.

Oh brother. I didn't even relate the word "thug" to being black. Maybe I need to get out more.

Champ Bailey is a terrific black cornerback. Is anyone calling him a thug?

im not sure i believe you saying you dont relate the word (or cant understand why that word has been chosen). in this country, thug seems pretty clearly connoted to being a black male. just like "fairy" implies a certain person, etc.

and also, with all due respect, im not sure you can be completely impartial on this debate. you already have a reason to not like the seahawks (dont misinterpret that i dont want you to continue to post).

no one calls champ a thug because he hasn't (as far as i know) done anything similar to what sherman did. but even if he had, calling him a thug would not be an appropriate response on a 15 sec post game interview. would you call champ a thug if he did what sherman did and he was on your broncos?

i dont recall riley cooper being labeled a thug with all that he said when that came out and that was in his private life

[heyzeus]

He's an MBA student at Stanford. He understands marketing and branding. In the NFL, especially on defense, it's hard to establish a personal brand hiding behind those face masks. He did something to stand out. Now he's probably the most recognizable defensive player in the league.

Of course, he's also receiving death threats, people are calling him a [expletive] all over the place, and he's been called a "thug" on national tv more times than Anwar al-Assad.

Did you read this?
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/r ... man-012114

It couldn't be more dead-on.

What I do know is this, there's a certain way that black people talk that makes white people crazy, and it's long past time for that to be the case

I like this quote too.

I cannot imagine what it is like to be Richard Sherman, a gifted athlete in a brutal, body-breaking, soul-killing sport who is expected also to be diplomatic at the best moment of his career because millions of people he doesn't know think they did him a favor by letting him excel.

I don't recall Urlacher getting called a "violent" "thug" when he got worked up like this. It was endearing.

[thrill]

I don't recall Urlacher getting called a "violent" "thug" when he got worked up like this. It was endearing.

Well Urlacher wasn't capable of that kind of off-the-cuff charisma/oration, but I agree with your point.Not everyone who is critical of Sherman's rant is racially motivated, but I doubt it would have gotten this level of scrutiny if he was white. I also wonder if people would be as upset if Pam Oliver was holding that mic instead of Erin Andrews. Probably not a productive hypothetical for this conversation, but I still wonder.

[heyzeus]

As far as the thug comments, what did he expect? If you behave like a violent person, people are going to view you as a violent person. Either own it or don't.

How exactly has he behaved like a "violent person," rather than a football player (with the understanding that this is a violent sport)? I'm not sure what exactly you're revealing here, but it's not good.

[Jocephus]

I don't recall Urlacher getting called a "violent" "thug" when he got worked up like this. It was endearing.

Well Urlacher wasn't capable of that kind of off-the-cuff charisma/oration, but I agree with your point.Not everyone who is critical of Sherman's rant is racially motivated, but I doubt it would have gotten this level of scrutiny if he was white.

i agree. of course it can't all be racially motivated...but i do think its greater than 50% of the reason

[Socnorb11]

As far as the thug comments, what did he expect? If you behave like a violent person, people are going to view you as a violent person. Either own it or don't.

How exactly has he behaved like a "violent person," rather than a football player (with the understanding that this is a violent sport)? I'm not sure what exactly you're revealing here, but it's not good.

I'm not even sure what your question is. Did you watch the interview? He was telling people to shut their mouth before he shut it for them. He was screaming ravagely. That's not violent behavior?

I'm not sure why some of you are comparing him to other football players. Is there a long list of other players that have done this when someone asks them a question?

[heyzeus]

Savagely. Yeah, I'm done here.

[Socnorb11]

I have specifically said that his behavior reminded me of the WWE. They are predominantly white.

Just to be clear, I don't care what color he is. When a guy gets on camera, tells everyone that he's the greatest player, and screams threats.......... I think it's childish and unprofessional. Call me old-fashioned.

[lukethedrifter]

Savagely. Yeah, I'm done here.

Not savagely. Ravagely. Savageness imbued with rage.

Can't quit now.