Recently, I have noticed just how big media is in sports. It can range from on-air interviews to a specific player tweeting, but as fans of the game, we notice how players act. Whether a player is tweeting to thank fans or to retaliate against an opponent, social media sites are an important, but sometimes overlooked side of sports.
It is probably no surprise to you that Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has been criticized over the past few days for his recent on-air interview with Erin Andrews after Sunday’s game.
Sherman was overly boisterous during an interview after the Seahawks beat the 49ers. The game decided who would join the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. So, tensions were high on the field. Sherman let the world know (specifically 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree) that he was the “best corner in the game.”
Reactions were all over the place as fans took to Twitter to talk about Sherman’s loud comments. Andrews thought the interview was great. I understand where she is coming from. Why would you want someone to be boring? You want the passion to show. It adds to the content of a story. That is what the media industry is all about: telling a story.
Do I think that Sherman might have been able to conduct himself in a more professional manner? Yes. Do I think he should have felt the need to publicly apologize for the comments? No. Say what you will, but he is not the only player to talk “smack” during a heated game. He is just the player who most recently was caught on national television while saying it.
Sherman took to Twitter after the interview. What might surprise most critics is that he first thanked his teammates and the fans for supporting the team. Then, he went on to say “A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinions of a sheep.” I have to say that is a respectable way of responding to all of the negativity that instantly flooded his Twitter notifications.
Sherman took the normal cookie-cutter postgame interview and gave it passion. A player with the amount of intensity as Sherman had is something we have not seen in a while. I hope we continue to see it across the board in all sports.
