Today is a historic day for the Seattle Seahawks. On this date 10 years ago, the Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. However, what arguably overshadowed this game is what Seahawks CB Richard Sherman said afterward. Let’s look back on one of the best postgame interviews in NFL history.
Richard Sherman vs. Michael Crabtree
These two players were division rivals for several years leading up to this game. Sherman was a CB for the Seattle Seahawks, drafted in 2011. Meanwhile, Crabtree was a WR for the San Francisco 49ers, drafted in 2009. Both Seattle and San Francisco played in meaningful playoff games leading up to this NFC Championship.
Then, when the NFC Championship came down to the wire, the 49ers attempted to throw a touchdown pass to Crabtree while down 23-17. However, Sherman ended up tipping this pass, allowing Seahawks LB Malcolm Smith to come up with the game-winning interception. This is when things got interesting.
The Postgame Interview
Once the game was final, FOX sideline reporter Erin Andrews approached Sherman for a quote about winning the NFC Championship. Sherman, who was still emotional after getting the best of Crabtree, then started his famous interview with the following:
“I’m the best corner in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you gon’ get! Don’t you ever talk about me! Don’t you open your mouth about the best… or I’m gonna shut it for you real quick… L.O.B.” -Richard Sherman
While taking the time to express how he felt about Crabtree, Sherman brought up L.O.B. (Legion of Boom). At the time, L.O.B. was at its peak. Sherman gave a shout out to what was the nickname for a remarkable Seahawks secondary. It consisted of CB Richard Sherman, S Earl Thomas, S Kam Chancellor, and more.
Igniting the Rivalry
Believe it or not, this beef between Sherman and Crabtree supposedly started at a charity softball game hosted by Larry Fitzgerald. The rumor is that Crabtree refused a handshake with Sherman and nearly fought him at the charity game. Apparently, Crabtree was not happy with the trash talk that occurred on the field during previous games. As a result, Crabtree did not want anything to do with Sherman off of the field.
Obviously, Sherman did not let this go. After the game-winning interception, Sherman did not let Crabtree forget about this. After the game, Sherman ran up to Crabtree and stuck out his hand. Then, he sarcastically told Crabtree “Hell of a game!” while rubbing salt in the wound.
One other factor we need to consider is the 49ers’ head coach at the time. It was Jim Harbaugh, who coached Sherman while the two were at Stanford together. Apparently, Sherman was not happy that Harbaugh passed on him in the NFL Draft. As a result, some of the anger directed at Crabtree was also supposedly directed at Harbaugh as well.
Fans React
A lot of NFL fans still look back on this rivalry fondly. Some even consider this the peak of rivalry football. Here are some of the most notable comments:
“2013-15 Sherman was Him.”
“Rivalry was so good.”
“Rivalry on top!”
“I honestly think Crabtree’s career ended that day.”
“This was so good man. Give me something like this again.”
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