Richard Sherman has had quite the offseason. His name was in many of the trade talks, as the Seahawks were openly shopping the All-Pro corner. Sherman knew about these rumors and had no problems addressing them on many occasions. The Seahawks star had a trying year last year, as he had some emotional moments on the field. Sherman has also had some issues with head coach Pete Carroll and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson as well. Sherman's problems with the Seahawks are well documented, but where sparked it. The problems go all the way back to one game-changing play on the biggest stage.
One game changed everything
Richard Sherman's problem goes all the way back to Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots. The Seahawks were knocking on the doorstep of the Patriots end zone with time running out. On the 1-yard line, everyone thought Seattle was going to give the ball to Marshawn Lynch, one of the game's best running backs. Well, they didn't as head coach Pete Carroll called a pass play and Russell Wilson threw the ball into the end zone and it was picked off by Malcolm Butler. That play ended Seattle's Super Bowl hopes and created the gap between Sherman and Carroll.
According to multiple sources from teammates and coaches, Sherman took that Super Bowl loss the hardest.
It was more than just a loss. It was a missed opportunity for him to say he neutralized two of the games best QBs in back to back years on the biggest stage (Tom Brady and Peyton Manning). It was a missed chance for a Seahawks team to go back to back and have a dynasty at their fingertips. Sherman took all that into account when reviewing his Super Bowl defeat and now it's been eating him alive ever since.
Problems and favoritism?
Richard Sherman is known for his high energy and sometimes extreme outburst, but last year it was at a more concerning level. Sherman exploded on Carroll during a game against the Rams, when he called a pass play on the 1-yard line that almost got intercepted. Seems like deja vu for Sherman as he still remembers that Super Bowl loss.
He couldn't believe Carroll would try that stunt again after what happened the last time. Carroll and Sherman met many times last season, trying to heal the wound that for Sherman was still fresh. Sherman was still holding on to the play three weeks before last year's playoffs. Sherman and Carroll's relationship haven't been the same after the play that cost them a championship and Sherman thought a fresh start might be necessary.
Sherman also felt as though Russell Wilson was to blame for the team's troubles. Sherman along with other players felt as though Wilson wasn't held to the same standard as the defense was. This is common in football, as the QB might get some special treatment, but for a team to call it out is something new.
Pete Carroll would hold film sessions and many players saw that he wouldn't call Wilson out on the negative plays only the positive ones. Assistant coaches claim Carroll treats everyone the same, from rookies to veterans, but the players could be on to something. Sherman and Wilson have a relationship most coworkers have, just don't spark any problems and do your job. Wilson is the golden boy in Seattle, so favoritism shouldn't be such a far-fetched assumption.
Richard Sherman and theSeahawks are past the trade rumors now and Sherman ready to take his usual left corner spot during OTAs. Sherman will still come with that fiery attitude and make sure every player is giving everything they have.
The trash-talk won't stop, the scuffles won't disappear, but hopefully, some of the scars Sherman has will be healed a little bit. His relationship with Carroll and Wilson won't be the same after that pick in the Super Bowl, but maybe they can strive for something similar.
