Race and Richard Sherman

[kpete]

When you’re a public figure, there are rules. Here’s one: A public personality can be black, talented, or arrogant, but he can’t be any more than two of these traits at a time. It’s why antics and soundbites from guys like Brett Favre, Johnny Football and Bryce Harper seem almost hyper-American, capable of capturing the country’s imagination, but black superstars like Sherman, Floyd Mayweather, and Cam Newton are seen as polarizing, as selfish, as glory boys, as distasteful and perhaps offensive. It’s why we recoil at Kanye West’s rants, like when West, one of the greatest musical minds of our generation, had the audacity to publicly declare himself a genius (was this up for debate?), and partly why, over the six years of Barack Obama’s presidency, a noisy, obstreperous wing of the GOP has seemed perpetually on the cusp of calling him “uppity.” Barry Bonds at his peak was black, talented, and arrogant; he was a problem for America. Joe Louis was black, talented, and at least outwardly humble; he was “a credit to his race, the human race,” as Jimmy Cannon once wrote.

All this is based on the common, very American belief that black males must know their place, and more tellingly, that their place is somewhere different than that of whites. It’s been etched into our cultural fabric that to act as anything but a loud, yet harmless buffoon or an immensely powerful, yet humble servant is overstepping. It’s uppity. It is, as Fox Sports’s Kayla Knapp tweeted last night, petrifying.

http://deadspin.com/richard-sherman-and-the-plight-of-the-conquering-negro-1505060117
http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2014/01/race-and-richard-sherman


GO HAWKS!
peace,
kp

[geek tragedy]

1. I agree with most of this, but Kanye is just a jackass. I also am not aware that Newton

is a polarizing figure any more than any other starting QB who's had his ups and downs is--most popular man in a lot of NFL cities is the back-up qb.

[joeglow3]

2. Can you link me to Favre behaving, with regularity, like Sherman has?

[geek tragedy]

3. In terms of real world behavior, Favre was much worse.

Between the drinking and the texting/sexual harassment . . .

Sherman talks. And he's arrogant. So is every cornerback in the NFL who's really, really good. If they're not arrogant, they get chewed up.

But he's also a model citizen in every other way. Stanford grad, spends his spare time studying film instead of partying and drinking etc, does community work, son of a sanitation worker in Compton.

[joeglow3]

6. What about that position requires you to be arrogant on national television

Why is that not needed at the Running Back position? I loved and respected the way Barry Sanders carried himself. It has NOTHING to with race. It has EVERYTHING to do with my sons watching that game and asking me why someone would behave that way when I have always taught them to exercise grace in all situations. My oldest is a talented athlete (obviously not college scholarship good) and has plays in games where he rises above the rest. He knows that it is not respectful of others to behave that.

I am curious how you think his game would suffer if he didn't give the interview he did.

[geek tragedy]

7. The interview was in poor taste.

He and Crabtree have some very bad blood between them, and he let that and the adrenaline get the better of his good judgment.

[wilt the stilt]

25. The position is one of risk

if they mess up everyone calls them out. They are on an island to themselves. My son's best friend father started in the NFL and twenty years later the local fan's still complain on some of the plays he was burned on and he played 12 years and was an all pro. If a runner doesn't do well they blame the line.

My friend was invited to the NFL combine. He ran a 4.4 forty. He decided he was to small to play but he got it. He had no problem with Richard Sherman. Priest Holmes said it best. To play football you have to become someone who you are not. It is almost a out of body experience. Crabtree started this 8 months ago and Sherman was just shutting him up. It's one of the things that makes him great.

[Deny and Shred]

36. I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but

I will attempt an answer. Everyone is a product of their environment, and how people react to success differs, and their environment is a major factor. There are exceptions, and it is not a blanket reaction based on socio-economic upbringing, but it is a tendency.

The NFL probably has the highest percentage of black players of the major pro sports, and virtually all corners are black in the NFL. I haven't done a regression, but I'd bet that most of them were the best athletes in their neighborhood/school growing up. The 12/13/14-year old from the proverbial 'hood' is seen differently by those around him that his white counterparts. He is expected to parley his abilites into stardom. He's challenged to do so at every turn, to be "that guy" that will raise the living standards of the whole community once he "makes it." If he doesn't make it, he's a mutt who has little upon which to fall back. He been expected to taunt his opponents with "I'm the best, etc" his whole life. The arrogance is born from that. The kid from the same neighborhood who becomes an NFL D Tackle wasn't treated the same in his formative years.

In the lily white suburb I grew up in, that didn't mean the same thing. The best athlete I grew up with (6'4", 4.4ish 40 time) decided to forego the couple football scholarships he received, and go to the better school into which he'd been accepted. He told me, "My dad (a successful lawyer) would kill me." His family had the means to send him to college without a scholarship and foresaw the long-term benefit of a better education. He eventually became a lawyer, and I imagine, has made more than he would have as an athlete. The expectations from his family/community were vastly different.

The OP notes the differences in perception of trash talk by white vs black, and between black athletes who know their place, and those that don't. Nobody talked more trash than Larry Bird, but TV said he was "competitive." Michael Jordan, a notorious trash talker, was "competitive." Barry Sanders, among my very favorite all-time players, was acceptable to the NFL mainstream audience because he didn't say squat. Bobby Knight can pull stupid stunt after stupid stunt for decades, but that is brushed aside. A black college grad with dreads has an adrenaline-fueled emotional reaction to getting to the Super Bowl, and he's a thug. Expecting a Mike Kryzewski-like reaction every time is pollyanna. I recognize that its hard to explain to 8 and 10 years olds, and in that you have my sympathy. It could, however, be a teaching moment for the better.

When I think of a player like McNabb, he had to endure being called a virtual Uncle Tom by the varied likes of the NAACP, Rush Limbaugh, Philly sports fanatics and TO - the teammate he roomed with and recruited. He did what Andy Reid asked at almost every turn and was chastised. That sort of thing does resonate with teammates. At the end of the day, many non-QBs answer to their childhood associates more than the couple TV interviews they will ever do. White players, for the most part, don't deal with that.

Lastly, QBs do interviews every week. Other players seeking noteriety have to stand out, however possible. Defenders frequently get MSM interest by crossing the line. (How many Champ Bailey interviews can you recall?) Sherman just reached the SuperBowl, the pinnacle of his profession. Within seconds, the NFL made sure he had a microphone in his face, whether he wanted it or not.

I am frozen in today and probably have too much time on my hands. I love playing, watching, and arguing sports. Please take this post in a positive tone.

[pscot]

8. Sheman is a mouthy kid

but he backs it up with the way he plays. The people complaining loudest would love the guy if he played for their team.

[joeglow3]

12. But would love it more if played on their team and WASN'T mouthy

One of the reason I loved Sanders so much (and I am saying this as a Cowboys/Smith fan).

[pscot]

29. Players chirp at one another constantly

It comes with the territory. The media feeds off this stuff, making it seem like a much bigger deal than it is.

[joeglow3]

32. There is a difference between talking smack on the field and the microphone picking it up & this

he was asked a question, ignored said question and went off on how great he is. Sorry, but that is nothing but an arrogant POS. Even my 8 and 10 year old sons picked up on that without me saying a word.

[AgingAmerican]

71. He was reacting to being attacked by Crabtree

Remind your kids of that.

[Boom Sound 416]

47. Champ Bailey never acted that way

Neither did Darrel Green, roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Charles Woodson, etc.

Even Deion Sanders did it without the violent tone.

[geek tragedy]

48. 'violent tone?'

Ronnie Lott was just plain violent.

[Boom Sound 416]

49. On the field

Yes.

[geek tragedy]

56. how was Sherman's tone 'violent?'

Because he was excited?

[Boom Sound 416]

57. That's a manipulitive question.

[geek tragedy]

60. How is it manipulative? nt

[Boom Sound 416]

62. Let's cut to the chase shall we

This OP asserts the backlash to Sherman is because of a racist what? nation, media, fan base? Fine.

To back the point up we have Favre and other white nfl players who while haven't had tirades on air have committed other poor actions to women, what-have-you. Those players have not faced such scrutiny and backlash so therefore racism is the culprit.

Have I got it so far?

Ok. How about Donte Stallworth. Don't remember much backslash towards him. How about Lenord Little? Re-signed to the Rams and finished a long carreer there. (I'll save the you google search. Each example has a body count). How about Michael Irvin?

What was it? Talent, arrogance and black- pick any two.

No. This is just a typical knee jerk cop out bs reaction to an obviois and rather low grade tv moment.

Save racism for, you know, racism. Their's plenty out there.

[geek tragedy]

64. You claimed his tone was 'violent.'

You are now being defensive when asked for a simple explanation.

[Boom Sound 416]

65. It was

I never changed my stance on that. Maybe it's not the most articulate word, but it was his tone and rather aimlessness that has caused the backlash.

Imagine if had said nearly the same words or words with the same intent laughing and jumping and gleeful. The narrative would be quite different wouldn't it?

But he didn't. He did his best gangsta impersonation and looked rather foolish doing it.

[geek tragedy]

67. So we're back to 'gangsta' nt

[Boom Sound 416]

69. What would you call it?

Why are we only talking about two words and not the story?

I responded to your point not your terminology.

[geek tragedy]

75. brash, arrogant, scornful. nt

[Boom Sound 416]

76. And

[gopiscrap]

51. thank you for pointing that out

I like Sherman because he challenges the status quo, also I am from Tacoma/Seattle

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. I am a Packer fan and I will always love Brett Favre (behind Starr)

However, I would say that publicly declaring that he'd see us all in New Orleans was pretty damned arrogant. Just about everything that came out of his mouth regard to Aaron Rodgers was pretty damned arrogant. But, we were told by Terry and John Madden that he was just a "good ole boy..."

Yes, my quarterback was an arrogant ass at times. Only he got a pass.

[joeglow3]

14. Really? You see those as the same thing?

Where did he yell how he was the greatest? Where did he trash another player and their abilities?

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. See... everything he ever said about Aaron Rodgers.

See... See you in New Orleans.

Heck yeah he was arrogant. That's football.

[joeglow3]

17. We will have to agree to disagree

I don't see anything wrong with any player saying they plan/expect to make it to the super bowl. I see something HUGELY wrong with a player doing a post game interview and ignoring the question asked just to proclaim they are the greatest and then proceed to call out a player by name and tell them how bad they are.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. I wouldn't call that a post game interview.

It's a sideline ambush after an amazing play. It was the best part of the day. Notice how he managed to not utter one curse word. Brett had tons of time to think up the unflattering terms he used to describe his successor. Neither should be crucified. In the immortal words of Charles Barkley, "They don't pay me to be a role model."

[joeglow3]

24. I don't expect him to be a role model

Just don't be surprised when I call a piece of shit a piece of shit.

[AgingAmerican]

72. Is Crabtree a piece of shit too...

...for starting it in the first place? You know, violently reacting to an offered handshake?

[rateyes]

78. I am a football coach, and if one of my players, black or white, did what Sherman did

I would have ripped him a new asshole. He made that win about him and his petty grudge instead of about his team. I hope Peyton Manning burns his ass the whole game.

[AgingAmerican]

83. So the guy who physically attacks the other guy

Gets a pass from you, but the guy who says something about it gets ripped a new one?

[JVS]

53. Farve pulled a very sloppy retirement plus dick pics.

He really blew his legacy by not walking away cleanly.

[kelliekat44]

4. How about all those tennis brats? nt

[libdem4life]

11. I think it's the Gangsta Rap Style he used that turns people off, and yes, mostly white. Most are

used to badly behaving "boys will be boys". But for good reason, gangsta is known for its often terrible language, misogyny and dire subjects. It is definitely racial...philandering and sexism is done behind the scenes usually and gets a "white pass", while the gangsta is mean to be "in your face".

At least that's what I've noticed.

[geek tragedy]

13. What is 'gangsta rap' about Sherman besides the dreads? nt

[libdem4life]

23. To me, it was the speed of his talk, I couldn't understand him, the dialect, it was degrading to the

other person he was mad at, it made me want to mute it until it was over. Over the top...and yes, I understand he was high on adrenaline from an intense play that won the game. The dreads not so much...lots of the other race wear longish hair. I'd like to think I'd feel the same if another race had done the same.

But I'm old and a basketball fan and things are changing. But in the NFL, I don't like the way they are going with allowing such violence on and off the field...overall. JMO

[wilt the stilt]

26. Crabtree started this 6 months ago

by insulting him at a dinner for Larry Fitzgerald. By you saying that you don't like the violence off the field you are implying he is violent. He aws number 2 academically in his high school class. He graduated from Stanford with I believe a 4.0. He is a model citizen but to play this violent game you have to almost be nuts during this game.

[libdem4life]

35. I wasn't implying him off the field...I'm talking about those who get in the news for bad behavior.

And there are plenty. My opinion has nothing to do with how smart he is, which has aptly been noted, or determined based on his childhood. Perhaps your last sentence sums up what I feel...I've been watching football for 50 years, off and on, and it is admittedly by those within the sport, becoming/requiring more and more violence.

More and more people will not let their kids play football...it's in the news a lot...they get hurt and even the pros are physically and sometimes mentally (all those hits to the head, helmets notwithstanding) maimed by the ripe old age of 35. The entire game is more violent than it used to be. Basketball (which I played for years) too, just not as much due to the nature of the game.

[WolverineDG]

42. You don't like violence but Sherman wasn't violent

Crabtree was. He put his hand on Sherman's face & shoved his head back. No says squat about that, but Sherman is violent because of what he said?

[libdem4life]

81. Well, the other guy should have gotten a fine then. I would have said the same thing. I know

trash talk and gangsta is all the rage now...taken the place of sportsmanship. I totally blame the huge money that flows around these guys. No longer sports, IMO.

[underpants]

5. Already seen on FB anti Sherman gigs and jpegs

I knew it was coming. I agree with a lot of this but rap music does nothing for me.... Anyway...

Ali is the prime example of what this writer us pointing out.

Also - I don't like Manning and never have. He does seem like he has a good self of humor but he just never connected for me. My racist radar goes off when I saw the explosion of Colts material being worn and who was wearing it (similarly with Browns gear) and Duke gear. Not Manning"s fault but I think he and Duke are some sort of poster children.

[AgingAmerican]

10. People make too big a deal out of Sherman's antics

He made emotionally charged statements after a very emotionally charged game. Welcome to sports.

He also graduated 2nd in his class in High School and Magna Cum Laude in college with a bachelors in communications and is presently working on a masters degree in Psychology. He is obviously a hard working, smart guy.

He grew up in a gang infested neighborhood in Compton California, and stayed on the straight and narrow through sports. The guy has overcome a lot to get to the top of his game.

Go Hawks!

[Scuba]

16. +1

[liberal_at_heart]

38. thank you. Go Hawks!

He does have a big mouth, but so what? So do a lot of sports stars. The Hawks and the 49ers have had a heated rivalry all year long. The 49ers had been talking just as much trash all year long.

[Arcanetrance]

18. Forgive me but what makes Kanye one of the greatest musical minds of a generation

Past that I don't really disagree with much this except I do find Sherman constantly talking to be slightly obnoxious but the people calling him thug and such are ignorant.

[Whiskeytide]

19. I think he's an asshole...

..., but not because of his claims to be the best. I have no problem with that, and he certainly is one of the best in the game. My problem was with his comment about Crabtree, and his "choke" gesture. That's not arrogant. That's being an asshole.

[wilt the stilt]

27. Crabtree started this 6 months ago

at a dinner for Larry Fitzgerald. Sherman extended his hand at the dinner and Crabtree insulted him and tried to start a fight.

[Whiskeytide]

33. I've heard that...

... and its probably true. Crabtree appears to be an asshole too. All the more reason for Sherman to keep his mouth shut and win with some grace. He could have said "I'm the best. I'm the greatest who's ever lived. I made the play when it counted. I'm a shutdown corner. Lookit me, lookit me." No one would have said much about all this, and what little they would have said would have been something like "he talks it but he walks it, too".

Instead, he made it about his personal feud with Crabtree, and his dislike for the 49ers, and he absorbed the spotlight. He wanted people talking about him, and they are.

My coach use to say - way back in the day - "act like you've been here before". Sherman didn't do that. Instead, he acted like a jerk.

[frylock]

40. "he wanted people talking about him"

i'd be curious to know what makes you believe that?

[Whiskeytide]

45. Actually, I heard Dan Patrick say that...

... on his radio show. But I agree with it. Maybe its just my assumption that most elite sports figures or high profile entertainers, or even politicians, for that matter, have substantial egos. There is no such thing as bad publicity to them, and outrageous behavior creates publicity.

Maybe Sherman is a good guy who was caught up in the moment. There's some evidence of that. But all I know is what I saw. Five people were in the room with me when we saw it live, and we unanimously agreed it was disrespectful and over the top.

If a DU poster posted similar comments about another DU'er - even one he or she had a feud with - it would probably get hidden, don't you think?

[U4ikLefty]

85. Oh well, if Dan Patrick said it...

.

[A HERETIC I AM]

20. This author lost me at.....

"like when West, one of the greatest musical minds of our generation"

Really?




It's too bad if that is the best his generation can do.

[Blanks]

22. I don't know...

When someone is shouting into the camera how great they are. I think that's frequently frowned on regardless of the race of the shouter.

...and Kanye West - isn't he the guy that walked up on the stage when Taylor Swift was receiving an award? That's the only time I've ever heard of him (until just now), and the only time that I've heard of someone just walking up on the stage uninvited during an awards show (there were the streakers in the 70's I suppose).

Arrogant self-promotion is never pretty. It isn't even so much that Sherman was arrogant - he was simultaneously disrespectful to his opponent. This is not an example of behavior that we want to encourage people (of any race) to follow, IMHO.

He saved the game at the last second with an excellent defensive maneuver. He would have been a hero if he'd just quietly basked in his greatness.

Myself personally, I always have more respect for the person who doesn't feel the need to tell us how great they are.

[wilt the stilt]

30. so you hate Muhammeed Ali? n/t

[Blanks]

39. I was not a fan of his. Hate is kind of a strong word. eom

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

28. Sherman was obviously playing a pro wrestling "heel" role in that postgame interview.

It's a matter of style whether you find that entertaining or amusing but when you hear the word "thug" come out it's usually a racial thing.

Whether you think it's low class to woof like Mr. T or Ric Flair, the main bad thing he did in my opinion was to pile onto the opponent he'd just beaten, Crabtree. Doesn't take much courage as you've already won the game, takes a little more bravery to woof it up against your next opponent who might humiliate you.

I think Sherman realized the Crabtree thing in particular made him look the worst and that's why he apologized about it.

This is not to say it was in any way necessary for him to play such a comic book character, you could argue it's undignified etc., but any outrage, whether real or feigned, over such transparent theatrics is silly.

[pipi_k]

34. Oh bullshit

It’s why antics and soundbites from guys like Brett Favre, Johnny Football and Bryce Harper seem almost hyper-American, capable of capturing the country’s imagination, but black superstars like Sherman, Floyd Mayweather, and Cam Newton are seen as polarizing, as selfish, as glory boys, as distasteful and perhaps offensive.

Brett Favre's antics got real tiresome, and when he was accused of some distasteful behavior against a woman who worked for the Jets when he was with that team, they got even more tiresome. Self-involved, arrogant little shit.

Johnny "Football" Manziel thinks he's God's gift to football.

John McInroe (another white guy...imagine that!) had tantrums that were not in the least cute OR funny. Childish little bully.

Brian Billick, who retired from coaching the Ravens, was, IMO, another (white) guy who either encouraged or condoned bullying behavior from his players on the field.

Bullies and assholes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Being black doesn't automatically make a person an asshole, but it also doesn't excuse someone from being labelled an asshole if that's what he's doing.

[lumberjack_jeff]

37. I think Seattle Sports fans appreciate a bit of swagger.

I doubt there's any city in the US which gets less sports respect than Seattle, so when athletes like Sherman or Gary "Hey Karl (Malone), the mailman doesn't deliver on Sunday" Payton come along, it's kind of refreshing.

[dilby]

41. Richard Sherman is a great athlete and now a household name.

You might not like what he said, but you know what he said and you now know who he is.

[Comrade Grumpy]

43. The guy was an asshole, and I don't care what color he is.

I hope Manning burns him good.

[AgingAmerican]

73. Was Crabtree also an asshole for attacking him?

Face shoving him in reaction to an extended hand?

[TBF]

44. Go Hawks! SF was incredibly nasty flying into Green Bay

and as far as I'm concerned they were put in their place. Unfortunately Green Bay wasn't the team to do it, but I hope the Seahawks win it all! The repug Manning fans can take their outrage elsewhere ...

[frylock]

46. i'm rooting for the seahawks to spite everyone who got wadded up over this..

dude makes the biggest play of his career in the biggest game of his career, has a mike shoved in his face after Crabtree disses him with the face jam, has an emotional response, and now he's evidently the biggest asshole to ever play the sport. whatever.

[dilby]

50. I am rooting for them because...

Elway leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I like Richard Sherman a lot and if people would learn about the guy they would like him too. He talks big but on game day he backs that talk up. He is also the first to admit that he is not the best because of natural athleticism but because he practices and studies harder than anyone else.

[NM_Birder]

52. Bingo.

Adrenaline is pumping by the gallon, emotional energy is at critical mass, give the guy a break and cut him some slack.

And as always,........ be joyous that we don't have to endure Romo nor Brady for another year.

[Cali_Democrat]

54. I'm definitely rooting for Sherman and the Seahawks

Gotta love Sherman.

Also the fact the he frightens so many people makes me like him even more.

The guy got straight A's, went to Stanford and is now pursuing a masters at Stanford. He's never been in trouble with the law, yet people brand him as a thug.

Race definitely plays a part and it makes me wanna root for him.

[MFM008]

55. look

yes im a SeaHawks fan and have been since the days of Jim Zorn and Steve Largent . He shouldnt have done it, hes apologized, but can you imagion the moment? He just saved the team with that play and is going to the superbowl for only the second time in team history. Way to exuberant and fiesty, but not a mugger.

[TheKentuckian]

58. I can't believe folks are going on about this, I laughed and went on with my night.

What a non issue!

[Cali_Democrat]

63. Sherman 2016!

[TheKentuckian]

88. Still will be too young and probably couldn't take the pay cut anyway.

[jakefrep]

59. Richard Sherman is a nothing player who has no business running his mouth.

And the "choking" gesture was far more offensive than the interview.

[dilby]

61. I am not a Seahawks fan but...

Richard Sherman is one of the best corners in the game. Number one ranked for interceptions during the regular season.

[U4ikLefty]

86. Richard Sherman is one of the best players at his position.

What is your opinion of colin kaepernick?

[mythology]

66. Race has nothing to do with it.

He acted without class. He loudly proclaims himself the best, but he failed a performance enhancing drug test (like a substantial number of his teammates) which means he has no idea of what being the best means. Because the best would do it without cheating.

He can claim anything he wants about Crabtree starting it, but a real man would have walked away. Instead, Sherman went over, smacked the opposing player on the ass and ran his mouth. To me, that's the behavior of a child.

And no, Kayne West isn't a musical genius. He's a blithering idiot who is great at self-promotion.

Barry Bonds didn't do himself any favors by being an arrogant jackass (nobody does), but he didn't get real pushback until he became a roided up joke and claimed he was clean. Also see McGuire, Mark, who is coincidentally white.

To compare 2014 America with Joe Louis' era is wrong and implies that nothing has changed. Oh and per Wikipedia the quote about Joe Louis being a credit to his race is misquoted. Instead the quote is "Yes, Joe Louis is a credit to his race—the human race" So the author of the article didn't bother to do their homework in their haste to claim racism.

For further proof that a dislike of petulant behavior not being popular even if it's done be a white person, look at the general opinion of Bill Belichek as a person. He's considered a great coach, but he gets a lot of grief for refusing the shake hands with the opposing coaches or running off the field before the game is over in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.

[hughee99]

68. This must be why everyone hated Muhammad Ali and Deion Sanders.

Some people just don't seem to like arrogant youngsters. Pro athletes just a few years removed from school seldom are called "confident" instead of "arrogant", especially when comparing themselves to established players or all-time greats. I've never seen ANYONE not get shit for publicly declaring themselves a "genius" (or bigger than Jesus). I must admit, I'm not aware that Cam Newton is a "polarizing figure". Pete Rose was, though.

Nascar is full of white guys who are disliked by various different factions of fans for being arrogant (Kyle Busch, for example). The NHL is as well (Sean Avery came to mind). There's no shortage of people on the DU (usually outside of NE) who feel the same way about Tom Brady. Shawn White gets shit for the same reason.

I'm not saying there aren't racists out there that aren't looking for any reason to criticize a successful black public figure, but to paint the opinions of a few vocal racists as what people in general think, is misguided.

And yes, Kanye West's "genius" is still up for debate.

And yes, I know there were people who hated Sanders and Ali, but I don't think that was the overwhelming opinion at the height of their popularity. The biggest rule about being a public figure: Not everyone is going to like you, no matter what.

[AgingAmerican]

70. Crabtree violently attacked Sherman

He did so in reaction to an offered handshake. That's what started it all. Not a peep about that.

[rateyes]

79. Extended hand...in an effort to diss Crabtree...I would have shoved him too

a Redskins player coal-cocked Sherman after a game because of his shit. I hope Manning burns his ass!

[AgingAmerican]

82. Yeah, cuz everyone knows

That an extended hand is an insult. They don't call them forty-whiners for nothing.

[tarheelsunc]

74. Also this weekend...

Coach Belichick of the Patriots outright accused Wes Welker of intentionally injuring Aqib Talib. That to me is more offensive than anything Sherman said, yet no one is making a big deal about it.

[arely staircase]

77. there is nothing controversial or oustide the mainstream about "taunting" bradey

or that dickwad from espn. This man has been providing an important public service.

[rateyes]

80. Last time I saw him, Crabtree was as black as Sherman.

Its not race, its just a lack of class and sportsmanship.

[U4ikLefty]

84. Ahhh, the smell of bigotry.

Too many bigots on this thread giving their "opinions"

[Boom Sound 416]

87. Which is which