There's not a lot of things in sports that arouses a stronger reaction than an athlete who not only talks his shit, but also backs it up. That's Richard Sherman. The season's leader in interceptions came through when it mattered again when he tipped Colin Kaepernick's intended end zone pass for Michael Crabtree. The ball fell into Malcolm Smith's hands for the interception to clinch the Seahawks' 23-17 win over the 49ers.
The play isn't what everybody is talking about, however. In an interview that came out of a WWE heel's skit, Sherman threw some verbal haymakers at Crabtree's direction: "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you gon' get! Don't you ever talk about me!" The only thing missing was the theme music.
The outburst drew a response from a lot of tweeters, particularly folks from the Sports Twitter world. Here are some of the best ones. And for reference, Michael Crabtree is NOT tight end Tom Crabtree, who's obviously not in the playoffs since he plays for the Buccaneers.
Get out of his mentions:
You haven't experienced awkward until you've received dozens of insults intended for a man with a name similar to yours.
Oh. I mean.....YES! I am Michael Crabtree! Welcome, new followers!
Am i the modern day Steve Bartman?
.@RSherman_25 You didn't cover me that whole game (bc i was in bed cuddling my pug)
.@mitchsherman Great job playing corner for the Seahawks tonight!
Anyway, here's the rest:
So Russell is a class act! Sherman on the other hand.... If he played baseball would get a high and tight fastball.
Sherman don't get paid to be classy and liked. He's a baller, and he's staying out of trouble of the field. That's all that matters.
Anyone bothered by Richard Sherman tonight has never sat through a one-game-at-a-time cliche fest. Speak your mind, Richard.
Richard Sherman gave a candid response seconds after an emotional game..looking forward to a great Super Bowl matchup
Congrats to my friend Pete Carroll and my boys Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman on clinching a spot in the Super Bowl!
Richard Sherman seems chill...
Give Erin Andrews all the Emmys for: 1. Asking the 100% apt follow-up question. 2. Defying every natural instinct and not bolting in terror.
The reactions included this incredibly racist tweet from Brian Blackwell (who deleted it after the damage was done): "Someone needs to introduce Richard Sherman to George Zimmerman.#ThugLifeOver". Of course that comment did not go over well.
Brian Blackwell made a Zimmerman comment and Black Twitter had him deleting his twitter in under 30 minutes how stressful
I know Brian H. Blackwell gonna call out sick tomorrow.
What did Brian Blackwell say? Whoever he is y'all got him up and outta here QUICK.
*Was. Black Twitter is about to get that old white man fired by morning RT @Jay_Bee_sq: Who the hell is Brian Blackwell?
Guess everybody can agree who's going to get ethered the most if he loses the Super Bowl.
