Sports

Sherman Doubts Any Punishment Ahead for Patriots

Published

11 years ago

January 26, 2015

Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman answers a question at a news conference for NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Phoenix. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman answers a question at a news conference for NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bill Wilner, ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHOENIX (AP) — Relishing no longer being in the “villain” role, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is painting his team’s Super Bowl opponent as occupying that position.

He also doubts that the Patriots will be punished by the NFL if they are found guilty of doctoring footballs in the AFC championship game.

“I think the perception is the reality,” Sherman said Sunday after the defending champions arrived in Phoenix. “It is what it is. Their resume speaks for itself. The past is what the past is. Their present is what their present is. And, will they be punished? Probably not.”

The All-Pro cited NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s close relationship with New England owner Robert Kraft as his main reason for being skeptical.

“Not as long as Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell are still taking pictures at their respective homes. He was just at Kraft’s house last week for the AFC championship,” Sherman added. “You talk about conflict of interest.

“But as long as that happens, it won’t affect them at all. Nothing will.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday the team “followed every rule to the letter” in preparing footballs on game day. New England arrives in Phoenix on Monday as the league’s investigation into under-inflated balls continues.

This is the second Super Bowl in which accusations of cheating have followed the Patriots. During their unbeaten 2007 regular season, they were fined $250,000 and Belichick was docked $500,000 for spying on New York Jets coaches’ signals. New England lost to the New York Giants in that Super Bowl.

For many of the Seahawks, the focus on football deflation is a non-topic. Quarterback Russell Wilson brushed aside questions about the subject the way he escapes onrushing defenders. All-Pro safety Earl Thomas admitted he knew nothing at all about it: “I’ve been in my own little world. I don’t watch TV too much.”

Sherman, as always, was not reticent about discussing it.

“I think more people might be inclined to root for us, to see history made,” Sherman said, noting the Seahawks are seeking to become the first repeat champions in a decade — when the Patriots did it. “I guess the controversy gives us a little edge in that respect.”

When it was revealed that some of the Patriots’ footballs were under-inflated in the AFC championship, Sherman said “I didn’t think it was a big deal at the time.”

“It’s a big deal,” Sherman added, laughing.

The edge that Sherman plays with has helped him become one of the premier players in pro football. It also catapulted him into that “villain” role last year after his rant against 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree following the NFC title game.

He didn’t understand the reaction.

“To be painted villains I guess you need to do something heinous,” he said, “and I didn’t. You learn a lot about people around you and about society.”

While he was at it, Sherman also criticized the NFL for not coming through on the booty he is entitled to for being selected to the Pro Bowl. Players who make the Super Bowl are replaced for the Pro Bowl.

“Only thing I’m disappointed about is that we didn’t get our gifts from the Pro Bowl,” he said. “Which is kind of dumb; the NFL is the only league that punishes the players who actually make the all-stars by not giving them their gifts.”

He believed the gifts included “watches and stuff.”

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

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Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

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Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

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The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

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The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

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Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

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West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.