Richard Sherman had a good game on Monday night in the San Francisco 49ers 31-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns, but on Tuesday he was in the news again for what he said, not what he did.
Sherman first accused Baker Mayfield of spurning his pre-game Monday Night Football handshake in Michael Silver’s article on Tuesday, but following the posting of video that disproves this on social media, the former Seattle Seahawks cornerback has since backtracked on his initial claims.
Richard Sherman, 49ers draw motivation from Baker Mayfield's pregame snub, from @mikesilverhttps://t.co/XgwiWzu117 pic.twitter.com/eVRFatPEkR
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 8, 2019
After the win, in which Mayfield went 8/22, throwing two picks (once to Sherman) and fumbling once, Sherman spoke to Silver on his first version of events:
“What’s amazing, and annoying, was him not shaking hands at the beginning,” Sherman said. “That’s some college s---. It’s ridiculous. We’re all trying to get psyched up, but shaking hands with your opponent -- that’s NFL etiquette. And when you pull bush league stuff, that’s disrespectful to the game. And believe me, that’s gonna get us fired up.
“Respect the game,” Sherman said, referencing Mayfield’s pregame behavior. “You can have rivals, but pay your respect in that moment -- especially when you’re young.
”He hasn’t earned anything in this league. How many games has he won? He’s acting like he was the MVP last year. If (Patrick) Mahomes did that, it would be one thing. But he would never do that, because he has too much respect for the game.
”And when you see a guy who doesn’t? You humble him every chance you get. Because eventually, he will have respect for the league -- or he’ll be out of it.”
With Twitter set ablaze with fiery takes piling into the character of Mayfield, the story appeared to be written.
Remember, Mayfield was going to change the game. He was going to be the brash QB who didn't follow the norms and he'd show all the old geezers, like myself, how the "new age" QBs would be. https://t.co/9opREKNuKd
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 8, 2019
Browns fans are a trip. Mayfield has said he’s going to be himself. This is himself buddy. You happy with it? He had the entire defense, who already wanted to kick his ass, even more fired up to kick his ass. He’s gotten worse this season. But hey, he’s being himself tho! Yay! https://t.co/fpalSsj0i6
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 8, 2019
In fact, this story was just beginning. Next, Sherman doubled-down on his initial take. His now-deleted reply to an inconclusive @NFL_DovKleiman video reiterated his claims in Silver’s piece.
So what was it? Did he shake or no? pic.twitter.com/uuSu8U7EyM
— Josh Randall (@jrandall15) October 8, 2019
More obvious footage soon emerged, with video showing that Mayfield had, in fact, shaken the hands of Sherman and all of the other San Francisco team captains. Sherman was directly contradicted.
WHAT IS SHERM TALKING ABOUT HE LITERALLY SHOOK BAKER'S HAND
— Cappin America (@FlammyMarciano) October 8, 2019
BAKER SHOOK EVERYONE'S HAND pic.twitter.com/Vl5AjYt5Jv
Sherman then changed his version of events. The issue, according to Sherman, was that Mayfield had not shaken his hand after the coin toss, instead choosing to run to the sideline.
Asked @R_Sherman25 about the video out there.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 8, 2019
He said it was Baker Mayfield darting away after the toss that angered the Niners: "That’s it. They are making way too big of a story of a blowout. He pissed us off. We put a foot in his ass. End of story."
So you don’t see any difference in the way I shake everyone else’s hand and the guy who stands back with the petty shake. Was Bs and I took offense to it then turns and runs off. It’s not that big of a deal.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) October 8, 2019
This is a clear video of what happened after the coin toss in the #49ers-#Browns game. pic.twitter.com/sBg7ebccDe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 8, 2019
This is the first time that Sherman has been in the news for a while. Perhaps it’s because the 49ers actually have something to shout about, being one of only two undefeated NFL teams while sitting atop the NFC West with a 4-0 record.
Silver’s NFL.com piece has since had an editorial note added to it, which outlines “a lengthy on-the-record discussion.” Silver chose this handshake as the story. It’s certainly become that. There’s no signs of it leaving the media cycle either, with Sherman agreeing to appear on The Pat McAfee Show sometime on Wednesday.
Around 7/715 would work
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) October 8, 2019
For Sherman, a four-time All Pro (3x First Team, 1x Second Team) and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, this is just an example of how he uses any possible situation as personal motivation. Furthermore, this manufacturing of disrespect could help to create an “us against them” feel in the 49ers locker room that reduces the chances of complacency and maintains focus. These are absolutely crucial traits for any team to sustain successful.
From a Seahawks perspective, Sherman always was a somewhat difficult character due to his hyper competitiveness and intelligent outspokenness. His elite play and winning games helped ease possible tensions. But after suffering an Achilles injury at 30-years-old and garnering a $14 million cap hit, Sherman was suddenly made expendable.
The corners’ recovery has been remarkable.
This Sunday, Seattle travels to a 10am game at Cleveland. That’s a team who surely can’t get any worse and is hungry to be better after an embarrassing prime time showing. They will be even more angry and driven after this Sherman story.
— Matty F. Brown (@mattyfbrown) October 8, 2019
The 31-year-old cornerback is a master manipulator and it’s hard to avoid the feeling that this was a calculated risk from the savvy vet - the next time the 49ers face the Browns, Sherman is likely to have hung his cleats up and be writing his Hall of Fame speech.
Ppl freaking out over a handshake gave me a good laugh. I will lose no sleep over it and have moved on to the next opponent.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) October 8, 2019