Around the NFL Championship Weekend

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Gary84Clark

It's a creation of American society. The rules aren't perfect but they are a part of American culture. It's not gonna always be the way you like it.

lol ... it rarely is the way I like it, but that's the nature of the beast. I agree, the "N word" is now relegated to the equivalent of an obscenity. To me, that is empowering it. To you, it is appropriate. C'est le vie.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Have to say after hearing the tone in that video, it didn't seem condescending to me as I would have thought. STILL not a fan, but I ease my stance on him just a bit. The choking thing still pisses me off (and did more than the interview).

[JoeRedskin]

Also, on Crabtree - if the excuse for Sherman was the 'adrenaline, big game, big play, in the moment" is the basis for him acting like an ass, is Crabtree's reaction all that different.

Big play, you're trying to make it, you fail, you're season just ended and the biggest loudmouth from the other team who's been talking trash all game stick's his hand in your face to say "good game" after making a play off you. Crabtree's initial reaction seems almost restrained. Again, not sure I would have done anything different.

And again, while understandable, Crabtree's reaction should have been "Thanks", shake hands and walk away.

Two hyper-competitive guys in their 20's running on adrenaline. Both understandably reacting on instinct and emotion, neither being a particularly good example of "sportsmanship".

Sherman's subsequent responses, as far as I can tell, have been reasonable and solid reactions. Based on those, I have a higher opinion of him than I did before the game.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Sherman's subsequent responses, as far as I can tell, have been reasonable and solid reactions. Based on those, I have a higher opinion of him than I did before the game.

For me, it's felt more like damage control. I mean he's obviously well-spoken, but like I said earlier, you can name a NUMBER of great DBs in this league and they aren't surrounded by controversy like he is. This last outburst was just the icing on the cake.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

For me, it's felt more like damage control. I mean he's obviously well-spoken, but like I said earlier, you can name a NUMBER of great DBs in this league and they aren't surrounded by controversy like he is. This last outburst was just the icing on the cake.

Precisely. Like most public apologies, that's exactly what it looks like. What he sits down and types up for a blog (and probably has input from others) or an interview he's prepped for with his PR team doesn't show you what kind of man he is...the way he reacts in the heat of battle does. Based on that with MANY examples over the past couple of years, he's an instigating headcase comes off as a thug on the field.

It's no surprise that multiple players have basically said "get out of my face" in one way or the other. He tracks players down to taunt, trash talk and as I said, instigate after plays and after games.

Whether it's Crabtree, Steve Smith, Trent Williams or anyone else, there's a definite pattern of behavior going on with Sherman.

[DynamiteRave]

I prefer the term, "roughneck" at least the connotation isn't as bad. I always view a thug as a person who'd knock your mother over and steal her purse.

[Gary84Clark]

I'm letting it go. You gonna have racists, and they are gonna try to justify it.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Gary84Clark

I'm letting it go. You gonna have racists, and they are gonna try to justify it.

Yes, you are - black, white and every other kind of racist - and all of them justify their bigotry as being acceptable.

[Gary84Clark]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Yes, you are - black, white and every other kind of racist - and all of them justify their bigotry as being acceptable.

Back to the subject of Sherman. He was called all types of monkeys. Monkey was the favorite word thug was second. Your philosophy on bigotry reveals a special kind of hatred, but this is a football thread so who cares.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Gary84Clark

Back to the subject of Sherman. He was called all types of monkeys. Monkey was the favorite word thug was second. Your philosophy on bigotry reveals a special kind of hatred, but this is a football thread so who cares.

My last word on this and only b/c the "special hatred" comment. To be clear, I have no "special kind of hatred" towards any racial group or any individual solely b/c they belong to a certain racial group. While I disagree with how broadly you appear to categorize people as racists, I absolutely agree that, in the context presented, a significant number of the comments made in response to Sherman's initial outburst were intended to be derogatory and used terms that were intended to be specifically related to race.

I think it a danger to place any word on the "censor list of automatic public condemnation" because it empowers the word, emasculates discussion and favors mob mentality over considered thought. In that light, I simply, and strongly disagree, with adding "thug" to the "you said X so you are a racist" list.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I have no idea why people don't understand this. It's a football game to see who goes to the SB, not a corporate board meeting.

U have worse talk then that after pick up games

[MTK]

What Sherman said really wasn't a big deal, but for those that saw it live don't tell me you weren't like WTF was that all about? That type of reaction leads to it being talked about and dissected all week. Just how it works.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

What Sherman said really wasn't a big deal, but for those that saw it live don't tell me you weren't like WTF was that all about? That type of reaction leads to it being talked about and dissected all week. Just how it works.

The follow up comment is this: the NFL and Seattle love it. Like DP said, NFL and Seattle will make Sherman available all week for every interview and want him to keep talking. Folks, the NFL loves it. They love the show, it gets people to talk about football who normally may not, and then they develop an opinion and ultimatly tune in.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

What Sherman said really wasn't a big deal, but for those that saw it live don't tell me you weren't like WTF was that all about? That type of reaction leads to it being talked about and dissected all week. Just how it works.

I laughed at it and wasn't surprised because it was from a trash talker already

[Gary84Clark]

It surprised me. I knew people would criticize it, but the monkey this and shoot the monkey in head tweets caught me off guard.