Wednesday, September 29, 2021
“Bad Boy” Sherman NFL Champ
Drunk, fight with police dog, Brady call
Needed by David
If superstar quarterback Tom Brady calls an unemployed NFL player, he can hardly refuse: Richard Sherman, one of the best cornerbacks in American football history, is joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Sherman is soon on trial for domestic violence.
Richard Sherman didn’t have to think twice. The cornerback – one of the most important positions in defense in American football because the wide receiver is supposed to be prevented from catching the pass – immediately said yes. Finally the tall Tom Brady had rang the bell. And when the quarterback calls with seven Super Bowl titles from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s hard to refuse as an NFL player. The 33-year-old Sherman, who has been without a club since February, certainly not.
“He’s the greatest quarterback of all time,” said Sherman of Brady, “and when he makes a call like that, it’s very difficult to pass up this opportunity.” Regarding his move to last year’s NFL champions Tampa Bay, he added: “I’m comfortable and confident that I can go out there and help the team win.” The cornerback signed a one-year contract.
The Buccaneers, who started the new NFL season with two wins and one loss, have one of the youngest defensive backfields in the league. Sherman is supposed to use valuable experience to ensure that the 44-year-old Brady defends his title. Sherman was three times in the NFL final, in 2014 he won the title as a member of the legendary “Legion of Boom” in the jersey of the Seattle Seahawks. The following year, the 33-year-old failed with the franchise in the final at the New England Patriots for Tom Brady. Since joining the league in 2011, he has intercepted and blocked the most passes (36) of all active players.
Five offenses charged
Sherman is considered one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history, one of the league’s most recognizable players thanks to his big plays and actions, and a speaker with personality and a penchant for trash talk. He’s also a sure tackler, and the Tampa Bay defense has struggled in this area several times this season. The team is also struggling with several injuries-related absences.
The defender also comes to the Super Bowl champion with a bunch of problems. Sherman will soon face trial for being arrested in July for attempting to break into his in-laws’ home. The NFL professional has been charged with five offenses, including two cases of domestic violence – second degree trespassing and third degree malicious damage to property – as well as resisting arrest, drinking under the influence and reckless endangering of road users. These are administrative offenses that can be punished with up to 90 days in prison in the USA, or gross administrative offenses that can be punished with up to one year.
Police dog and officers fight Sherman down
According to statements, Sherman had drunk heavily at the time, was argumentative, and talked about suicide when he left his house to go to the in-laws, the police report. His wife, Ashley Sherman, called 911 and tried to get the police to stop Sherman. When he tried to ram the front door of his parents-in-law with his shoulder, Sherman’s father-in-law armed himself with a pistol and sprayed pepper spray on the 33-year-old to protect his family, he told officials. When police showed up, they released a police dog, which bit Sherman’s ankle and left a small cut, while officers pulled the NFL professional to the ground, the reports said.
Sherman pleaded not guilty on all five counts and, shortly after his arrest, stated in a statement on Twitter that he “deeply regrets” his actions and “behaved in ways I am not proud of”. In February, a prosecutor obtained an “extreme risk protection order” for Sherman banning him from possession of weapons after a judge found him dangerous to himself and others.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope the 33-year-old can focus on football again in Florida. The outcome of the season is as uncertain as Sherman’s future – on the pitch and in court.