You must have seen it ‘go down’ on television last night
right after the Seahawks' win. If you
happened to be occupied during the Seahawks 49ers game or away from a
television, then your Twitter feed was surely blowing up. As early as this morning, it was a hot topic of conversation in the grocery
line. Chances are, you are at least tangentially familiar with the Richard
Sherman rant.
On the final drive of the NFC Divisional Playoff series, Seattle
cornerback Richard Sherman tipped a ball that was intended for 49ers wide
receiver, Michael Crabtree. The deflected
ball was quickly intercepted, propelling
the Seattle Seahawks into the upcoming February 2nd Superbowl. The drive was amazing to watch. The final play
was spectacular. It must have been both
exhilarating and rewarding for Richard Sherman. But, in my opinion, he misused the
moment. And he looked small.
Instead of celebrating the accomplishment with his teammates
and chest bumping the teammate that actually made the interception, he went
after Crabtree, taunting him. Moments later, Fox Sports' Erin Andrews,
asked him to describe the play.
"I'm the best
corner in the game," Sherman yelled. "When you try me with a sorry
receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're gonna get. Don't you ever talk
about me."
And because he does not really answer the question directly,
Andrews asks who he is talking about.
"Crabtree,"
he said. "Don't you open your mouth about the best or I'm gonna shut it
for you real quick."
It came off badly. He
used the moment to belittle his opponent.
He jumped at the chance to glorify (and perhaps overstate) his own
giftedness. It was brash. It was brazen. And he was dripping in pride.
But Richard Sherman
is going to help me mentor youth.
Richard Sherman brings up a topic that me and the guys have needed
to talk about. I am hoping that, this coming Sunday morning, the
Sherman-Crabtree story will lead us into conversation that proves formational
for the young men I love.
The topic is sure to connect with them. I predict a couple of the guys will defend
his brazen cockiness. I know that they been taught to admire and identify with the swagger that was on display. One of my guys even thinks so highly of himself, that he
self-imposed and self-propagated a change of his first name to match that of 4-time NBA MVP, LeBron. It's a far cry from Abdi Abdi.
You can guarantee a couple things will come up in our
conversation. I will slip into coach speak, suggesting that Richard Sherman
should have been a ‘team guy’ and “act like he’s been there before.”
Also guaranteed, I will also ask them to wrestle with Scripture from Proverbs that asserts, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Additionally, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2) Launching from this verse, I'll probably point out that he didn't need to say a word at the end of that game. Had he refused to speak when Erin Andrews jammed the microphone in his face, he still would have been heralded by all for making the play of the game! It's so much sweeter (and right) to let compliments flow in, than to manufacture them on our own.
Also guaranteed, I will also ask them to wrestle with Scripture from Proverbs that asserts, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Additionally, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2) Launching from this verse, I'll probably point out that he didn't need to say a word at the end of that game. Had he refused to speak when Erin Andrews jammed the microphone in his face, he still would have been heralded by all for making the play of the game! It's so much sweeter (and right) to let compliments flow in, than to manufacture them on our own.
The need for individual recognition, for each of us, exposes
our disbelief in the fact that we are treasured sons and daughters of God. We feel like we need more than that. We need the praise and applause of women and
men. And many of us chase this idol to find in effort to experience deep fulfillment. Richard Sherman isn’t the only one out there
trumpeting his own name. While
potentially demonizing Sherman here, I am fully aware that the same temptation
gets to me, and to us, sporadically. Behind our degrees and our homes and our
Instagram filtered photos, we too come off brazen as well.
My prayer is for all of us today: me…you…my mentees…and Richard
Sherman. Today, might we attribute all
that is good in our lives, to God Himself, who showers us with His good
gifts.
And if you take any credit, then we’ll let Richard Sherman deal with you, "Don't you open your mouth about the best or I'm gonna shut it for you real quick!"
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