Richard Sherman threatens to ruin radio host’s career, then apologizes

Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Richard Sherman has had some heated exchanges with the media over the years, but one of the most notable came Tuesday with local radio co-host Jim Moore. Moore, a long-time presence on the Seattle sports scene who used to write for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and now works as a co-host on 710 AM ESPN, questioned Sherman about his sideline argument with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell over a pass play from the one-yard line Thursday.

Sherman took exception:

Moore asked a question of Sherman stating that what he didn’t understand is that Bevell is trying to call plays he thinks will work but that Sherman appears to think he has a “better handle’’ of what should be called.

“No, I just had a, we had a prior experience (a reference to the interception at the end of Super Bowl XLIX) so we talked about it,’’ Sherman replied to Moore. “But let me guess — you have a better play to call. Let me guess, you have a better experience.’’

When Moore said no, Sherman said “then you should probably kind of stop.’’

The press conference wrapped up a few minutes later, and Sherman then went after Moore on his way out:

As Sherman walked off the stage and down a walkway that headed out of the auditorium, he passed Moore and said “You don’t want to go there. You do not. I’ll ruin your career.”

Said Moore: “You’ll ruin my career? How are you going to do that?”

Said Sherman: “I’ll make sure you don’t get your media pass anymore.”

Sherman later apologized on Twitter:

I appreciate the role the media plays and they have a tough job. I let it get personal today and I regret that. Next one should be fun

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 21, 2016

And then relayed what appears to be feedback from head coach Pete Carroll:

#Petesaididontcontrolcredentials 😅

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 21, 2016

It’s understandable that Sherman would get annoyed over this kind of question (even if media members aren’t wrong to ask why Sherman thinks he’s more qualified than the team’s offensive coordinator, asking that question is going to provoke a response), but the “I’ll ruin your career” is way too far.

Of course, Sherman has zero shot of actually ruining a media member’s career (even if he did somehow get a credential pulled, that would probably work out well for the media guy in the end when you consider the backlash that would arise), but this kind of talk is quite unnecessary (and it’s just as unnecessary when it’s media members delivering it about players). There’s no need for media-player interactions to get this personal, and Sherman’s certainly been involved in enough media interactions that he should know better by now. Hopefully he learns from this going forward.

[Larry Brown Sports]