http://youtu.be/ioo1iUdwAlU

Shortly after 10:00 PM EST on Sunday evening January 19th, Seattle Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman went from being a superstar football player to cultural icon.  The post game interview shown above with Fox’s Erin Andrews, arguably the most compelling in sports history, is still ranked #1 on Twitter 24 hours later.

It seems as though everyone has an opinion on Sherman and his WWE-style heel interview.  I would like to weigh in and offer my thoughts from a leadership perspective.

The Good

  1. Richard Sherman Is VERY Intelligent – Sherman grew up in Compton, CA where Forbes.com reports he graduated 2nd in his high school class.  From there, he went to Stanford and graduated with a degree in Communications.
  2. Richard Sherman Works VERY Hard– Sherman has gone from a 5th round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to the game’s best cornerback by his second season.  He has become an expert at his craft.
  3. Richard Sherman Produces – Sherman’s tipping of the pass which was intercepted by Malcolm Smith is one of the greatest plays you will see a defensive back make.  During the regular season, Sherman also led the NFL with 8 interceptions.  As he will proudly proclaim, he is the NFL’s best defensive back.
  4. Richard Sherman Has Passion – As leaders we dream of having teammates who are passionate about the mission and vision of our organization.
  5. Richard Sherman Has Confidence – Sherman shouted, “I’m the best corner in the game!”  If you have a problem with his level of bravado, then read what was said about him leading up to the draft. “Sherman is a size prospect with some good intangibles that will help him mold into a contributing backup corner for a press-heavy team. However, he does not possess the natural coverage instincts, fluidity or burst to be considered a future starter…Awareness in zone and off-man are only adequate. Has average ball skills but some upside as a playmaker.”  If someone said that about you or I, we would have a chip on our shoulder as well.
  6. Richard Sherman Is An Artist – I appreciate Sherman has an opinion.  The fact he is unique I feel should be celebrated.  Erin Andrews’s comments in USA Today are fascinating.  She said, ““You expect these guys to play like maniacs and animals for 60 minutes.  And then 90 seconds after he makes a career-defining, game-changing play, I’m gonna be mad because he’s not giving me a cliché answer, ‘That’s what Seahawks football is all about and that’s what we came to do and we practice for those situations.’ No you don’t. That was awesome. That was so awesome. And I loved it.”
  7. Richard Sherman Is Self-Aware – Did you notice he never took his eyes off the camera or cursed?  This is probably the product of his Communications degree but it also shows Sherman understands he is a multi-million dollar corporation within himself.  Every pro athlete is.  Sherman is building a brand.  Notice the commercial below that aired within 24 hours of his outburst.

The Bad

  1. Great Leaders Point To Others – You can accomplish more with “we” than “me”.  They divert attention from themselves and shine the spotlight on others.  Great leaders celebrate team accomplishments.
  2. Great Leaders Are Humble – While all great leaders have an ego and high level of confidence, rarely do they draw attention to themselves.
  3. Great Leaders Lift Others Up – As you can see in the post-game news conference (and also on Twitter), Sherman has been relentless in his verbal abuse of Michael Crabtree.  Leaders know when they have prevailed and it is time to move on.
  4. Great Leaders Harvest The Fruit Of Their Labors – All leaders will sit down to a banquet of consequences, good or bad.  If for no other reason than one day age will catch up with him, Sherman will one be abused and embarrassed on the football field.  Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Could it happen in two weeks at the Super Bowl?
  5. Great Leaders Decide Early What They Will Be Remembered For – I hope I am wrong but I fear Sherman will not be remembered as the best defensive back in the NFL during the peak of his career but rather for his WWE heel comments.  Leaders often get to decide their legacy.  I hope Sherman did not make the wrong choice.

http://youtu.be/aXp7wl2beaU

What are your thoughts on Sherman’s behavior?

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