Sherman speaks out about Black Lives Matter movement

RENTON — Richard Sherman stepped up to the podium Wednesday afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and before fielding any questions from the gathered media he said he had something to say.

Sherman then proceeded into a realm where few professional athletes venture.

The Seattle Seahawks cornerback stepped off the playing field and into the world of social commentary Wednesday when he spoke candidly on the Black Lives Matters movement.

Sherman, in speaking about breaking down racial lines, took the type of stand rarely seen amongst today’s athletes as they attempt to avoid controversy and risk their marketing value. Sherman, who has his own share of endorsement deals, decided speaking up was more important.

“I think if we had more guys who spoke up on those kind of things I think we’d be in a better place as a society and as a culture,” Sherman said.

“I’m not saying anything that, in my opinion, is controversial, to say the least,” Sherman added. “I think it’s something I believe in. I think a person saying we should celebrate our humanity and all lives matter, if that turns off an advertiser or a company, more power to you.”

The outspoken Sherman was compelled to speak on the subject because a post recently appeared on the internet, attributed to Sherman, that criticized an activist who used a photo of Sherman and Seahawks teammate Marshawn Lynch to advocate violence against white people.

Sherman said he was not the author of the post that denounced the photo, but he also said that while the post was poorly written it did make some good points, mainly in condemning the violence advocated by the activist.

“I don’t think any time is a time to call for an all out war against the police or a race of people,” Sherman said.

“As a black man I do understand that black lives matter, I stand for that and believe in that wholeheartedly,” Sherman added. “But I also think there’s a way to go about things and a way to do things and I think the issue at hand needs to be addressed internally before we move on because from personal experience, living in the inner city, you deal with people dying. I dealt with a best friend getting killed, and it was two 35-year-old black men. There weren’t police officers involved, there wasn’t anybody else involved, and I didn’t hear anyone shouting ‘black lives matter’ then. I think that’s the point we need to get to, we need to deal with our internal issues. Before we move forward and start pointing fingers and attacking other people we need to solidify ourselves as a people and deal with our issues because as long as we have black-on-black crime — if black lives matter they should matter all the time.”

While Sherman called upon the African American community to do some soul searching, he also called upon law enforcement to make changes, too.

“There’s a lot of dealings with police officers right now,” Sherman said. “I don’t think all cops are bad. I think there’s some great cops out there who do everything in their power to uphold the badge and uphold the honor and protect the people in society. But there are bad cops and I also think that needs to be addressed. Some of that is being brought to light because of video cameras — everybody has a camera phone — but these are things a lot of us have dealt with our whole lives. I think right now is a perfect time to deal with it. The climate we’re in, everybody is being more accepting. So I think the ignorance should stop. I think people should realize that at the end of the day we’re all human beings. Before we’re black, white, Asian, Polynesian, Latino, we’re humans. So it’s up to us to stop it.”

Sherman’s stand brought admiration from his friend and teammate, receiver Doug Baldwin.

“A lot of times when athletes speak up about political issues or racial issues you get a lot of pushback, saying, ‘Oh you’re an athlete, stick to the field, stick to sports,’” Baldwin said. “Especially in Sherm’s case, we’ve all been affected one way or another by certain things that might be related to police officers, violence, all kinds of different things. It’s not like we don’t know what we’re talking about. That’s what I’m most proud about him, that he’s willing to put himself out there knowing there’s going to be some pushback, knowing there’s going to be some negativity surrounding it. But the fact of the matter is he brought it to light, he addressed it and he got the conversation started again.”

Sherman said the reason why he’s willing to speak out where other athletes might be reluctant is because he’s “not scared to be judged.” And he’s motivated by trying to reach the youth while he still had a platform from which to speak.

“[Athletes should be] trying to encourage these kids to stay out of the streets, stay out of gang violence, stay off these drugs, stay in school and do your best to come up with the next great idea, be the next entrepreneur, instead of some of the goals these kids have in the inner city,” Sherman said. “I know from personal experience, they don’t have the best influences, they don’t have the best idols, a lot of times they don’t have both parents in the household.

“I think it’s important to get that message out there to kids, especially while you have that platform,” Sherman added. “I’m just a football player, who am I to say anything? But as long as people are watching and respect my opinion, I’m going to give it.”

Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

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

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

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.