Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) gets shoved in the face by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) while trying to shake hands after an interception by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) during the second half of the 2013 NFC Championship football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Areportin the Seattle Times indicates there was more to Seattle Seahawks cornerbackRichard Sherman’s post-game railing about San Francisco 49ers wide receiverMichael Crabtreethan just what happened on the field near the end of Sunday’s NFC Championship.
According to the report, Crabtree allegedly tried to start a fight with Sherman while the two were at a charity event last year hosted by Arizona Cardinals wide receiverLarry Fitzgerald.
After the incident, Sherman vowed to “make a play and embarrass” Crabtree.
Sherman tipped awayColin Kaepernick’s pass intended for Crabtree with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter, turning a potential go-ahead touchdown into a game-clinching interception byMalcolm Smith.
In his post-game news conference, Sherman was … animated.
"“I was making sure everybody knew that Crabtree was a mediocre receiver. Mediocre,” Sherman told Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews—who had a bit of a look of terror on her face. “And when you try the best corner in the game with a mediocre receiver, that’s what happens. Game.”"
Crabtree responded.
"“He made one play and he talks,” Crabtree said. “It was a good play.”"
Sherman wrote a guestcolumnfor MMQB.com and talked about his reaction:
"I ran over to Crabtree to shake his hand but he ignored me. I patted him, stuck out my hand and said, “Good game, good game.” That’s when he shoved my face, and that’s when I went off.I threw a choking sign at 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Why? Because he decided he was going to try the guy he was avoiding all game, because, I don’t know, he’s probably not paying attention for the game-winning play. C’mon, you’re better than that.But that’s not why I don’t like the man. It goes back to something he said to me this offseason in Arizona, but you’d have to ask him about that. A lot of what I said to [Erin] Andrews was adrenaline talking, and some of that was Crabtree. I just don’t like him. It was loud, it was in the moment, and it was just a small part of the person I am. I don’t want to be a villain, because I’m not a villanous person … To those who would call me a thug or worse because I show passion on a football field – don’t judge a person’s character by what they do between the lines. Judge a man by what he does off the field, what he does for his community, what he does for his family."
To be fair, Sherman ripped into Seattle’s fans for throwing food at 49ers linebackerNavorro Bowmanas he was being carted off the field with a knee injury.
"If it’s true, it’s beyond terrible. That’s as low as it gets. I’m sure whoever did this is in a small minority of fans, because I don’t think that kind of action is an accurate representation if the character of the 12th man (© Texas A&M). NaVorro Bowman is a great player who plays the game the right way. When he went down, I dropped to a knee and prayed for him. He deserves better than having food thrown at him as he’s carted off a field. All players deserve better than that."
If nothing else, it will add spice to next year’s meetings between the 49ers and Seahawks.
Because, you know, they were so bland before.
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