Along with the regular press about the Super Bowl, much of the hype leading up to the game wasn’t about the Broncos or the Seahawks but about Richard Sherman, the Seahawks Pro Bowl cornerback. Reactions to Sherman’s comments created rivalries among sports fans leading up to the Super Bowl. “He had just won the game and was going to the Super Bowl. He was in game mode and reacted like he would in game mode,” said Jenna Jones, a communications major from Gilbert, Arizona.In the last minute of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sherman blocked a pass in the end zone that was then intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith, securing the win for Seattle. Immediately after the game, Sherman shocked the football world, not with his spectacular play, but with his words.In an on-field interview following the game, Sherman, in speaking with Fox’s Erin Andrews, said, “I’m the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s what you’re going to get. Don’t you ever talk about me.” Within minutes of the interview, the social media world exploded with various opinions regarding Sherman’s comments. The Pro Bowler instantly became the hot topic of discussion across the nation as a number of newspapers, TV shows and radio talk shows could not stop buzzing about his post-game rant. Since, Sherman has participated in follow-up interviews on CNN and ESPN First Take, where he got into a heated debate with host Skip Bayless.Talking about the incident, Landon Southwick, a senior in business management from Kaysville, Utah, said, “Even though I don’t like trash talk, I blame Fox for the bad spin. Don’t stick a microphone in someone’s face when you know they are going to be emotional, especially with a guy who has a past of speaking out.” The Super Bowl turned out to be a big win for Sherman and the Seahawks as they shutdown the Broncos 43-8. Sherman got injured in the second half of the game and carried off the field.
Writer: Matt Roberts ~ Multimedia Journalist
