Richard Sherman made the game-clinching play for the Seattle Seahawks in their NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and let the world know what he thought about 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree when sideline reporter Erin Andrews caught up with him after the game.

Richard Sherman's Post-Game Rant

Only a few minutes had past since Sherman had reached up and tipped an end zone pass from Colin Kaepernick, sealing the Seahawk’s Super Bowl berth, when Andrews called him in for a quick interview. When Andrews asked him to take her through that play, Sherman had something else to discuss – the intended receiver.

"I'm the best corner in the game!," Sherman yelled at the camera. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're going to get. Don't you ever talk about me. Don't you open your mouth about the best, or I'll shut it for you real quick.”

sherman by random_sports

Almost immediately, Sherman’s rant was the talk of the internet. While some people lauded the athlete for his passion, others admonished him for his lack of class and tact, while still others resorted to racially-charged messages of hate. Andrews, who stood next to Sherman during his tirade against Crabtree, was not nearly as outraged as many members of the general public.

Erin Andrews Addresses Sherman Rant

Andrews took to Twitter soon after her now-viral interview with Sherman to downplay his intensity. Later on, she responded to someone who suggested that the NFL player had scared her, writing, “Not even close!” She also retweeted fellow reporter Jay Glazer, who condemned people for using racial slurs to describe Sherman.

Richard Sherman gave a candid response seconds after an emotional game..looking forward to a great Super Bowl matchup

— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) January 20, 2014

Ha! Not even close! Loved the emotion! #nocliche Can't wait for NY RT @fawcett_is_2k: I'm sorry @RSherman_25 scared you tonight

— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) Dont care how put off any1 was by Richard Sherman's comments, there is ZERO excuse to hit him w racial … https://t.co/L4Nj4RH2AC— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 20, 2014

Sherman Defends Interview With Erin Andrews, Slams Racists

Sherman also took to Twitter to address his impassioned post-game interview. Immediately after the game he tweeted, “A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinions of sheep." He later made a reference to “glass houses,” and called out those espousing bigotry.

There was a lot of talk before the game…. Now I'm the bad guy lol…. Well if u judge my character on the field ….So many glass houses

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 20, 2014

Last night shows that racism is still alive and well… And that's so sad…. At Least some people respect MLKs dream

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 20, 2014

On Monday, Sherman went even further in addressing his comments, which have yielded an immense amount of criticism – not only towards him, but towards the entire Seattle Seahawks franchise. Heading into the Super Bowl on Feb. 2 in New Jersey, Sherman wanted the opportunity to clear his name and that of his team.

“It was loud, it was in the moment, and it was just a small part of the person I am. I don’t want to be a villain, because I’m not a villainous person,” he wrote in the essay published on The MMQB.com. “To those who would call me a thug or worse because I show passion on a football field—don’t judge a person’s character by what they do between the lines. Judge a man by what he does off the field, what he does for his community, what he does for his family.”

The Seattle Seahawks will face off against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. The Broncos beat the New England Patriots Sunday afternoon, 26-16.

– Chelsea Regan

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