Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he spoke to cornerback Richard Sherman about the comments he made on national television after Seattle’s 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
“We aren’t perfect and we all make mistakes,” Carroll said on Seattle ESPN radio affiliate Monday. “Things don’t always come out exactly as we planned”.
“I look at it like this: What would I tell my son? I’m a dad. I speak from that perspective. Maybe (the players) don’t always want to hear it that way, but it’s the best way I can communicate. That has already taken place and we’ve already talked about it.”
After Sherman made a game-saving play by tipping away a pass in the end zone intended for 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree late in the game, he was outspoken during a TV interview with sideline reporter Erin Andrews.
“I’m the best corner in the game,” Sherman yelled. “When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re gonna get. Don’t you ever talk about me.”
Andrews asked who was talking about him.
“Crabtree,” he said. “Don’t you open your mouth about the best or I’m gonna shut it for you real quick.”
Carroll defended Sherman on Monday.
“You’re talking about a guy in a warrior’s mentality in the middle of everything,” Carroll said. “He’s a fiery guy. That was Richard being Richard in a moment where you would like to pull him to the side and take a knee for a while, then we’ll talk to you.
“It’s unfortunate that it was so crazed, but that’s who he is. His mental makeup to get ready for that matchup was expressed right there so he could play the way he can play. Unfortunately, sharing with the world, it didn’t come across so well.”
However, Carroll also said Sherman’s postgame behavior was not indicative of the team’s guidelines.
“We try to stick to Rule No. 1, which is always protect the team,” Carroll said. “It’s the rule we live by. You always represent us. In a time like that one, it was a little bit representing yourself.
“How we handle it is we try to grow and learn and work our way through who we are and figure out who we want to be. This was an extraordinary learning opportunity. You’ll see some benefit from it.”
Carroll said Sherman just got carried away.
“Richard is a wonderful spirit,” he said. “He’s got an amazing heart and he has great sensitivity. He goes all the way to the end of the spectrum when it comes to expressing himself.”
–Carroll said wide receiver Percy Harvin “should be fine” for Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2.
Harvin did not practice last week while recovering from a concussion and did not play in the NFC title game.