NORTH CAROLINA-(BASN)
-Celebrate the play, but don’t hate the player.
Why? Because, the 15-second sound bite between Fox’s Erin Andrews and Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman, has everybody discussing the interview instead of the acrobatic game-saving deflection in the Seahawks’ thrilling 23-17 victory last weekend against San Francisco.
It was awesome because I’ve done so many interviews that are just so cliché and so rehearsed and the same old same old where you feel like you’re sleepwalking,” Andrews told seattlepi.com.
“This is one where I was like, ‘What is happening right now?’ I’ve never been a part of something like that, and obviously that’s why everyone nationally is talking about it.”
But, Sherman’s passionate post game interview and press conference, however, has also increased the interest in this year’s seemingly boring Super Bowl as well.
Why? Because, more people, whether they are football fans or not, who never heard of Sherman, until his alleged Kayne-West type rant, are going to tune into the game in order to see Sherman eat a “slice of humble pie” against legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, or step up to the plate and deliver as he spoke, the greatest cornerback in the game.
Therefore, despite the seemingly negative press, the NFL loves every bit of the controversy circulating around this incident. Because, “money talks and bulls#$%” talks,” regardless of what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall says.
No, I’m not cheering for that,” Goodell said on “CBS This Morning” on Thursday. “(Sherman) is such a great young man. He is extremely well-spoken, does great things off the field, obviously a great player on the field. I want him to present himself in the best possible way and make sure that he is reflecting on himself and his family in a positive way.” Despite the political correctness from the Commissioner, in this case, the bulls*&% spit by Sherman has everybody talking about the league and endorsement deals coming. Is it a coincidence that Sherman’s new Beats by Dre headphone commercial aired during the playoff against San Francisco, in which he, conveniently uses the headphones to escape all the media’s questions about his actions on the field? I don’t think so.
So, instead of saying, “What a play!!!
Maybe, we should be saying, “What a marketing genius?”
As a result, the marketing manipulators have stumbled upon it’s new villain in the form of a loud-mouthed, dread-head Richard Sherman going up against the Sportsmen of the Year, Peyton Manning, the humble, play-by-the book good ole boy from Louisiana.
Hollywood is truly proud of this match-up.
And, the WWE is extremely jealous.
Man, where is boxing promoter Don King when you need him?
This is classic.
It’s Rocky Balbo vs. Clubber Lang a.k.a Mr.T.
Yes, now a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos has become must see television.
Why? Because, one insignificant interview, and a little trash-talking, made it worth wild.
Only in America…..
Eric D.Graham, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he received a B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Radio and Television and a minor in History, with an emphasis in African-American Studies, is currently the Managing Editor of Black Athlete Sports Network, where his articles appear daily along with his controversial cartoon character Bobbee Bee “The Hater.” Graham can be reached at lbiass34@yahoo.com
