Russell Wilson on race and a few other Wednesday links

When President Barack Obama welcomed the Super Champion Seahawks to the White House in May, he noted that Russell Wilson “became only the second African-American quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl. And the best part about it is nobody commented on it, which tells you the progress that we’ve made, although we’ve got more progress to make.’’

And while Wilson has been asked about race on a couple of occasions during his time in Seattle, it is noteworthy how much of a non-issue his ethnicity has been when, as the President and many others have noted, he joined Washington’s Doug Williams as the only African-American quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl.

Wilson wrote about that topic for TheMMQB.com, and in a very thoughtful piece covers everything from his upbringing in Richmond Virginia to the fact that Seattle had five African American quarterbacks on its roster during the offseason (Keith Price has since been released).

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is part of the top 10 being unveiled by the NFL Network tonight in its Top 100 players of 2014 list. Sherman will also appear tonight on the Discovery Channel’s “American Muscle” and according to this USA Today article, he apparently had some interesting comments about 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, saying “It’s not going to be something that goes away. I hope to play him every year for the rest of my career and choke him out. There’s not much else I can say about the subject. Nobody will understand it but him and me. That’s all that needs to understand.”

On a less controversial note, Sherman told NFL.com why he thinks the Seahawks can be even better this season than last year.

ESPN’s Terry Blount came up with three nominees for the most memorable play in Seahawks history, and today he looks at Marshawn Lynch’s “Beastquake” run. The other two nominees are Steve Largent’s big hit on Denver’s Mike Harden following an interception and Richard Sherman’s tipped pass that led to Malcolm Smith’s game-clinching interception in the NFC championship game. For my money, while Sherman’s tip was the most important play, Lynch’s run is the “most memorable” in that it was just so spectacular and hard to believe. We’ve actually seen Sherman make very similar plays in practice and games, so as big as that play was in the moment, it lacks the wow-factor of what Lynch did to the Saints.

USA Today calls Seattle’s re-signing of Sidney Rice one of the overlooked moves of the offseason.

ESPN insider KC Joyner wrote an article saying the Patriots would have a better secondary than the Seahawks this year. Here’s ESPN’s Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith discussing that topic. You’ll notice Bayless seemed to have learned his lesson from when he took shots at Sherman last offseason.

And since it would be silly to focus only on the Seahawks when two local teams are currently in-season and playing well right now, let’s add a couple more non-football links.

Grantland.com takes a look at Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager finally getting some deserved attention after long playing in the shadow of more heralded prospects.

Sounders star/US national team captain Clint Dempsey will be on with Letterman tonight if you’re up late or want to set your DVR.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood’s Netan Ghebreamlak prepares to take a shot as Edmonds-Woodway’s Kincaid Sund defends in the Warriors’ 2-1 victory Wednesday night at Shoreline Stadium. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
E-W weathers Shorewood’s storm in battle of soccer unbeatens

Alex Plumis’ 72nd-minute goal completed the comeback as the Warriors topped the Stormrays.

Seattle Seahawks new NFL football head coach Mike Macdonald speaks during an introductory press conference, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New coach Macdonald wants his Seahawks to forge own legacy

The pictures of iconic moments from the Pete Carroll era have been removed from Seattle’s training facility.

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 17

Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 17: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Karsten Sweum (10) celebrates after a run during a baseball game between Jackson and Glacier Peak at Glacier Peak High School on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. Glacier Peak won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Glacier Peak baseball blanks Jackson, 3-0

Karsten Sweum’s home run and 14 strikeouts helps the Grizzlies past the Timberwolves.

The Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers (27) scores on Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during the second period of their game Tuesday in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kraken need to consider effort levels when building roster

With a playoff-less season winding down, Seattle’s players are auditioning for next season.

The Herald's Athlete of the Week poll.
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for April 8-14

The Athlete of the Week nominees for April 8-14. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 16

Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Archbishop Murphy players celebrate during a boys soccer game between Archbishop Murphy and Arlington at Arlington High School on Monday, April 15, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Archbishop Murphy routs Arlington 7-0 in boys soccer

Gabe Herrera scores a hat trick, and Zach Mohr contributes two goals for the Wildcats.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, top, forces out the Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco (7) at second base and makes the throw to first for the double play against Mariners’ Ty France to end the eighth inning of Sunday’s game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Hitting woes plague Mariners again in series loss to Cubs

Seattle ended the weekend 6-10, and the offense has been the main culprit.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith may have been a Pro Bowler, but should Seattle consider prioritizing a quarterback in the NFL draft? (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Should Seahawks prioritize quarterback in draft?

A challenger to Geno Smith is something worth considering for Seattle.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, April 15

Prep roundup for Monday, April 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Snohomish's Morgan Gibson returns the ball in her match against Stanwood's Ryann Reep on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. Gibson lost the first set 4-6 but rallied back to win 6-2 in the second and 6-0 in the third. The Panthers bested the Spartans 5-2. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Snohomish girls tennis bests Stanwood, 5-2

Panthers sweep singles, Spartans win first and second doubles

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.