On Richard Sherman

Anyone with an ear towards the upcoming orgy of football excess known as the Super Bowl surely is familiar with the sideline rant of Richard Sherman after Sunday's NFC title game. He has apologized for his antics being a distraction, and he deserves credit for that. But when he and his defenders say not to judge him by his actions on the field and immediately thereafter as he is a passionate player and football is only a part of who he is, well, we're not all that sure that such is a fair defense of him.

It seems to us that how someone reacts in the heat of the moment is a stronger indicator of their overall temperament than when they do when the pressure is not on. Keeping your cool, keeping your wits about you when there is no particular challenge to them, is rather easy. Speaking and acting well when you're in the spotlight can be tough.

Yet the good leaders, the good people, are able to rise to the occasion. If Sherman truly felt slighted by Michael Crabtree, his best reaction was to have walked away and said and done nothing. He didn't; we can't help but feel that such is in fact a reflection of his true character, especially given the in your face attitude which football seems hell bent for leather to instill in its players.

If this proves to be an isolated incident then our criticism of the Seattle corner back is unwarranted. We doubt, however, that such will be the case.