Everyone has been talking about Richard Sherman as of late. Of course, when I talk about it, it’s more or less a day late and a dollar short. However, there is a reason for sitting on this and looking at it from all perspectives. Simply put, in his interview with Erin Andrews after the conclusion of the NFC Championship Game, he put himself on the map with his taunting tirade of San Francisco 49er wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Some thought that it was unwarranted; others applauded the member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom – the nickname that the Seahawk defensive backs have been given. While I am a fan of the Denver Broncos (I have been since the days of Elway) and hope that Peyton Manning shows the Legion of Boom a thing or two, I am not one to blast Sherman for his post-game interview.

In essence, it reminded me of Bart Scott’s post-game interview from 2011. Centering on another fandom of mine, it was no different than a pro wrestling interview. Except that “Mean” Gene Okerlund had been replaced with Sal Palantonio and Erin Andrews, respectively.

I want to put a side note here; Okerlund wasn’t too impressed with Sherman’s interview. Citing the New Jersey Star-Ledger, “Richard will have to do better than that,” Okerlund said.

Well “Mean” Gene, I disagree with you, brother.

Richard Sherman is a competitor, fueled by the trash talk that he and Crabtree exchanged before and during the NFC title game. While Sherman had to apologize and was fined $7,875 (mere chunk-change) by the NFL, I felt that he didn’t need to apologize. It was a heated game for a spot at the Super Bowl against a hated rival, and Fox Sports knew what it was getting into by finding Sherman after he made the tip against Crabtree that led to a game-ending interception.

Furthermore, Sherman is by no means a thug by any means, as some ignorant folks are led to believe. One could argue that he came from the city of Compton, but Sherman is one of those men that came from nothing, and ascended to the top.

Richard Sherman was a Salutatorian at Compton Dominguez, where he won a high school championship and earned All-American honors in track and field, along with being a member of the 2010 Stanford Cardinal, coached by current 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterbacked by Colts star Andrew Luck. Sherman also graduated Stanford, one of most prestigious universities in America, with a degree in communication. Even though the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the fifth round, Sherman has a pedigree to him.

By the way, he made Skip Bayless look like a chump on live television. That alone makes me a fan of Richard Sherman. If, and I will emphasize the ‘if’, he didn’t play the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Of course, you have add in his taunting of Tom Brady and his Twitter feuds with Darrelle Revis and Roddy White.

Here’s another thought to chew on as well. What if Sherman is attracting all of the limelight to ease the burden off of Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson?

After all, this is Russell Wilson’s first Super Bowl appearance. For the sophomore quarterback, even though Wilson is an exceptional individual, the spotlight does indeed pose a potential problem. However, I feel that Wilson doesn’t have the pressure that Peyton Manning has on his shoulders heading into Super Bowl Sunday.

But here’s the moral of the story: if you were able to back yourself up with exceptional play, wouldn’t you want to speak boldly as well? My answer is yes, and every single athlete would openly agree with me.

That statement will bring me to my last point. Sure, it’s great to be humble, but if you are the best in the world at what you do, it’s not a terrible thing to say so. Not only will you elevate your playing field, but also you will work hard to maintain that level that you have achieved.

All in all, this could be another classic Super Bowl. Now, if the NFL would just swallow the bitter pill and play the big game in the snow, it will be a barnburner through and through.

By the way, go Broncos.