Richard Sherman has never been shy about speaking his mind. The Stanford-educated, three-time All Pro corner has made that abundantly clear at several points throughout his five-year NFL career. Whether he's jawing at receivers lined up across from him or taking New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to task, calling out fellow corner Darrelle Revis or addressing the Black Lives matter movement, Sherman is and always has been ready and willing to share whatever meaningful thoughts materialize in his mind.
Sherman has also never shied away from calling out the multi-billion dollar league for which he plays whenever he feels its cadre of decision-makers, headed by Goodell, is straying too far into hypocritical or self-serving territory. It's no surprise then, after a story surfaced that Goodell's disciplinary power may soon be reduced greatly by the NFLPA, that Sherman offered some harsh criticisms of recent decisions made by Goodell and the league's office.
Posed a question as to his feelings on the potential rule change that will see any NFL player ejected from a game should they incur two personal foul or unsportsmanlike penalties, Sherman answered without hesitation.
"I think it's foolish, but it sounds like something somebody who's never played the game would say, something they would suggest, because he doesn't understand, he's just a face, he's just a suit," Sherman said. "He's never set foot on the field and understood how you can get a personal foul."
Tell us how you really feel, Rich.
Interestingly, Sherman himself likely wouldn't be affected by the proposed ejection rule as he's had just six personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during his career.
But maybe Sherman isn't worried about himself. Maybe he's worried about the rest of the Seahawks team, namely the secondary. Strong safety Kam Chancellor has been known to lay more than a few big hits and backfield mate Earl Thomas has garnered quite a few borderline legal highlight reel plays of his own.
Then again, Chancellor has only incurred seven such penalties in his career, while Thomas has, like Sherman, received just four.
Really, what Sherman is likely concerned with is the way the "ejection rule" would change a player's approach should they receive an unsportsmanlike penalty early in the game. Much like in the NBA when a player receives a handful of early penalties and throttles back defensively, an NFL player with one such penalty to his name may begin to play with hesitation, worried over being ejected as much as making the play in front of them.
It could lead to a plethora of issues not just limited to game play, like an increased potential for injury.
Whatever the reason behind his remarks, Sherman's feelings on the matter are clear. As are his feelings on the "catch rule," which Goodell and Co. feel is perfectly fine, despite a bevy of opposition voices.
"Because you've got a bunch of suits doing it," Sherman said of the reason the rule remains an issue. "You've got a bunch of guys who never played. They've probably touched a football to hold it out or to shake someone's hand and take a picture but they've never played the game."
