Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who has become known for inflammatory comments on and off the field, said nothing controversial in the Seahawks’ press conference on Sunday following their arrival in New Jersey.
The Seahawks, who play the Denver Broncos in next Sunday’s Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., arrived at the Newark Airport late Sunday afternoon, then held a press conference at the team hotel in Jersey City.
Sherman smiled and answered questions politely for the throng of media members. But he offered no headline quotes.
“I’m enjoying it,” he said of all the media attention. “I think in order for us to achieve all our blessings, you have to enjoy it. If you treat it as just a job, if you treat it as just a moment, you’re not accepting it.”
Sherman’s actions at the end of last weekend’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the AFC title game and his postgame criticism of 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree brought him a lot of media attention.
He was also fined by the NFL for his taunting during the game.
Sherman said Sunday the attention he brought to the team may help them prepare for the barrage of media attention the Seahawks will receive in the days leading up the Super Bowl.
“I definitely think it helped. I definitely think it helped,” Sherman said. “I think everyone getting a chance to see the cameras, to see the tons of media in press conferences and things like that has helped everybody kind of evolve in understanding the media and what they want to do.”
Asked if anyone had told him to avoid controversial comments this week, Sherman said, “I think you are always cognizant of it as football players, especially in today’s world, that everyone is looking for a story and they are trying to get their name in the paper.”
Sherman said he has low-key plans for the week.
“Make a few appearances, shake a few hands,” he said, because “there’s certainly things you have to do when you get in this position. (But) I came here to play football. That’s what I’m focused on.”
He was brief when asked about last week’s incidents, which brought so much media attention and controversy.
Asked what the point of his postgame tirade was, Sherman said, “I think if you don’t understand it, then you missed the point.”
Sherman believes his rant may have a positive effect on conversations about race in sports.
“I think I had some impact on it and I wanted to have a positive impact,” he said. “I think everybody should be judged by their character and who they are as a person and not by color of skin. I think that’s something that we work to get past as a nation and as a country.
“I’m just a guy trying to be the best. I’m a guy who wants to help his team win and is a fiery competitor who goes out there and puts his life into his work. I’m just trying to affect the world in a positive way.”