Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin mock NFL over fines in press conference. (Video)

[ReMeDy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/richard-sherman-doug-baldwin-mock-nfl-in-press-conference-225024393.html

 

Hilarious and Sherman brings up several interesting points. First, I always found it strange the NFL's biggest sponsor is an alcoholic beverage company when the NFL preaches DUI's, health, and safety. Second, I don't understand why wearing harmless unapproved NFL headphones, such as Beats by Dre, Sherman gets fined for. Third, two games in five days is just absurd. Lastly, the article brings up a good question: Recently, Marshawn Lynche was fined for not talking; will Sherman and Baldwin be fined for too much talking? We'll find out!

[12isthenew18]

it was so spot on. fire goddell

[Shane Bond]

Classic.

That 100k was bogus.

[MJD42]

How hard is it to talk to the media?

[Cynjin]

Sherman and Baldwin are smarter than this, or at least they should be.  The only thing that they are correct about is the alcohol question, they should be able to accept sponsorship money from a beer company although the comment about DUIs was dumb.  If they don't like the rule about being available to the media then they should collectively bargain that into the CBA.  Otherwise deal with it and just give one word answers, it's not that hard.  As far as the headphones go, how does the NFL and the players make money?  Through sponsorship dollars either directly or indirectly.   Therefore, Richard, Bose is helping to pay you.  You can have your Beats headphones you just cannot wear them at the workplace where Bose is an official sponsor, again it is not that hard nor is it hypocritical of the NFL.

[rsrobinson]

Sherman and Baldwin are smarter than this, or at least they should be.  The only thing that they are correct about is the alcohol question, they should be able to accept sponsorship money from a beer company although the comment about DUIs was dumb.  If they don't like the rule about being available to the media then they should collectively bargain that into the CBA.  Otherwise deal with it and just give one word answers, it's not that hard.  As far as the headphones go, how does the NFL and the players make money?  Through sponsorship dollars either directly or indirectly.   Therefore, Richard, Bose is helping to pay you.  You can have your Beats headphones you just cannot wear them at the workplace where Bose is an official sponsor, again it is not that hard nor is it hypocritical of the NFL.

A $100,000 fine for not talking to the media is absurd when a player could make a career ending illegal hit and get fined far less. Does anyone care what most NFL players say anyway? Richard Sherman is one of the few who ever actually has anything interesting to say and this is another example of that.

And if Marshawn Lynch doesn't want to talk who really cares? His play on the field speaks for itself. The only ones who really give a damn are the NFL reporters who need access to players and are probably pushing the NFL behind the scenes to take action against Lynch lest he give any other players ideas about avoiding the media. Most NFL reporters are shills for the league so they get what they want.

I'm glad Sherman is sticking it to the NFL for attempting to bleed every dime possible out of the public itself while restricting when and where players can promote their own sponsorship deals. And he's also right about the league hypocritically promoting concern about player safety (mostly for legal reasons) while expanding the number of Thursday night games and also wanting to expand the schedule to 18 games. NFL owners see players as an expendable product and only really care about protecting star quarterbacks who are the marquee players in the league.

Good on Sherman and Baldwin for expressing what most players think and doing it in an entertaining fashion.

[MJD42]

A $100,000 fine for not talking to the media is absurd when a player could make a career ending illegal hit and get fined far less. Does anyone care what most NFL players say anyway? Richard Sherman is one of the few who ever actually has anything interesting to say and this is another example of that.

And if Marshawn Lynch doesn't want to talk who really cares? His play on the field speaks for itself. The only ones who really give a damn are the NFL reporters who need access to players and are probably pushing the NFL behind the scenes to take action against Lynch lest he give any other players ideas about avoiding the media. Most NFL reporters are shills for the league so they get what they want.

I'm glad Sherman is sticking it to the NFL for attempting to bleed every dime possible out of the public itself while restricting when and where players can promote their own sponsorship deals. And he's also right about the league hypocritically promoting concern about player safety (mostly for legal reasons) while expanding the number of Thursday night games and also wanting to expand the schedule to 18 games. NFL owners see players as an expendable product and only really care about protecting star quarterbacks who are the marquee players in the league.

Good on Sherman and Baldwin for expressing what most players think and doing it in an entertaining fashion.

The NFL is about marketing its players hence why speaking to the media is part of its mandated policy. He got fined the $100,000 because this is his THIRD time violating the policy.

 

Lynch is not just "a player" he is a super star and the most important person on that offense along with Wilson. The media, fans have a right to hear from him. One word answers are not that hard to do. 

 

Sherman is just a tool that loves self-seeking attention ...

[sweetsurrender]

Oh gee Sherman taking another op to make something that has nothing to do with him about himself with his now tiresome railings against the league. Makes you want to puke. 

 

And shouldn't he and Badlwin being worrying about the post-season and not doing little duets together? Big game tomorrow night that could be a big step toward ending their post-season hopes if they lose ...

[GoPats]

Definitely some points for creativity and boldness here. Some of their points are valid.

 

A big part of me, though, is kind of turned off by it. I mean, most of us are working our butts off to make ends meet. Football players are being paid millions to do what they do. They've earned it, don't get me wrong... the physical toll that the game takes on their bodies, all the training and time spent in the gym, etc. But to some extent it's still a life of privilege. If someone was paying me $4 million a year or whatever and part of my job description was to talk to the media for 10 minutes every Sunday, I don't think I would put up too much of a fuss about doing it. There are plenty of parts of my "real" job I don't like, but I still have to do them! Players are also too hard on the media at times. Those guys have jobs to do too, and we all contribute to that. Fans, players, etc.

[rsrobinson]

Oh gee Sherman taking another op to make something that has nothing to do with him about himself with his now tiresome railings against the league. Makes you want to puke. 

 

And shouldn't he and Badlwin being worrying about the post-season and not doing little duets together? Big game tomorrow night that could be a big step toward ending their post-season hopes if they lose ...

It's true that the Seahawks don't have the benefit of playing in a pathetically weak division like the Colts and will have to battle their way into the playoffs but this press conference, which was a scheduled one and part of their duty as players to attend according to the NFL, won't have any effect on their preparation. Sherman is a film room fanatic who is always one of the best prepared CBs in the league and will be ready to go on Thursday against a team he is very familiar with. Same with Baldwin.

[jvan1973]

Im shocked a company went through the trouble of making a cardboard Doug Baldwin There can't be much demand for those

[sweetsurrender]

It's true that the Seahawks don't have the benefit of playing in a pathetically weak division like the Colts and will have to battle their way into the playoffs but this press conference, which was a scheduled one and part of their duty as players to attend according to the NFL, won't have any effect on their preparation. Sherman is a film room fanatic who is always one of the best prepared CBs in the league and will be ready to go on Thursday against a team he is very familiar with. Same with Baldwin.

It has been kind of a rough season for you guys, no? Is this the way you want to see your super star players behaving? First, Lynch not wanting to speak to the media for the third time now prompting a ridiculous fine. And then your best CB and I guess number one receiver if you can call Baldwin that yacking it up? 

 

You can take shots at the Colts division all you want, they can't control that but they show up and act like professionals and don't turn things into a circus like the Hawks. Different strokes for different folks I guess but I can guarantee you that if you lose to SF tomorrow this conference will be brought up.

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Im shocked a company went through the trouble of making a cardboard Doug Baldwin There can't be much demand for those

$$$$$$$$$$$$

[GoPats]

Im shocked a company went through the trouble of making a cardboard Doug Baldwin There can't be much demand for those

 

I bet Doug Baldwin already had it at his house. Or his Mom's house maybe. 

[Superfly Jay]

I'm not a fan of Sherman and his personality at all, but he was on point in this press conference. The NFL has always been corrupt, and he's speaking up for himself and all of the players. Endorsements are worth more than a NFL contract. The NFL gets no percentage of it, so they censor them from promoting. Most owners pay their team 12% of what their actual profit from games, merchandise, food, BEER, amenities, ect. To top that nonsense off most of the stadium staff are volunteers or get paid minimum wage thru a temp agency, so the owner avoids paying employee insurance which their players don't receive either. Most careers last 2-3  years average, so get your money now before the checks stop coming in. 

 

Also check this out, simple minded people talking about "shut up, you get paid millions to play ball". That's true, but just because you get paid a lot, you just supposed to listen to whatever the "commissioner" tells you? What about years after these players retire and they end up cripple, because of all the blows their body has taken throughout their career?  All that money ain't going to mean jack if they confined to a wheelchair.

[The Peytonator]

Yeah, the NFL should totally be okay with its players driving drunk. I mean, they allow beer commercials to be played during their broadcasts, players should have the right to drive completely smashed without any ramifications. Nice logic Sherman.

 

The only point I agreed with was the one about player safety and playing on Thursday nights, but I swear this is the first year I've heard anyone complain about these games. I think it's just that one player made this point, so the hive mind that is NFL players all decided to jump on it. They only have to do this once a year, I don't think it's a big deal, but they should try to schedule byes before the Thursday nighters.

[Cynjin]

A $100,000 fine for not talking to the media is absurd when a player could make a career ending illegal hit and get fined far less. Does anyone care what most NFL players say anyway? Richard Sherman is one of the few who ever actually has anything interesting to say and this is another example of that.

And if Marshawn Lynch doesn't want to talk who really cares? His play on the field speaks for itself. The only ones who really give a damn are the NFL reporters who need access to players and are probably pushing the NFL behind the scenes to take action against Lynch lest he give any other players ideas about avoiding the media. Most NFL reporters are shills for the league so they get what they want.

I'm glad Sherman is sticking it to the NFL for attempting to bleed every dime possible out of the public itself while restricting when and where players can promote their own sponsorship deals. And he's also right about the league hypocritically promoting concern about player safety (mostly for legal reasons) while expanding the number of Thursday night games and also wanting to expand the schedule to 18 games. NFL owners see players as an expendable product and only really care about protecting star quarterbacks who are the marquee players in the league.

Good on Sherman and Baldwin for expressing what most players think and doing it in an entertaining fashion.

 

I don't know what is so hard to understand about this.  The players agreed to these conditions in the CBA, if you don't want to talk to the media don't but then don't whine about the fine either.  Better yet campaign to get the rule changed in the next CBA.  As far as Sherman sticking it to the NFL, I doubt the NFL owners or headquarters are shaking in there collective boots over what Richard Sherman says.  He can have his deal with Beats, just do not wear them to his place of business that has a deal with Bose.  I doubt that if you worked for Pepsi they would want you wearing Coke gear whenever you showed up for work.  

 

One of my kids is a student manager for a large university's football program that has a deal with one of the large sporting goods corporations.  Whenever the student managers help out with practice they have to go into a building, change out of what they are wearing and change into gear provided by the company.  They are absolutely not allowed to wear any gear from a competitor on the practice or game fields.  Off the field, on their own time they and the players can wear whatever they want.

 

In regards to the Thursday night games, it does not promote player safety, but again the players agreed to them.  The time to discuss it was when the CBA was being worked out, I remember the players objecting to the idea of an 18 game season but nothing much about the Thursday night games.  Also, would Sherman be willing to take a pay cut if the Thursday night games went away? You see CBS pays the NFL a lot of money for those games and if that money goes away the salary cap does not go up or may even go down.  Where does CBS get the money to pay the NFL?  Thats right sponsorship deals, so you see Richard actually is getting paid part of the sponsorship money the check just does't happen to say Buick, Budweiser or Bose on it, and I have to believe he is smart enough to know it.

[Valpo2004]

I'm not a fan of Sherman and his personality at all, but he was on point in this press conference. The NFL has always been corrupt, and he's speaking up for himself and all of the players. Endorsements are worth more than a NFL contract. The NFL gets no percentage of it, so they censor them from promoting. Most owners pay their team 12% of what their actual profit from games, merchandise, food, BEER, amenities, ect. To top that nonsense off most of the stadium staff are volunteers or get paid minimum wage thru a temp agency, so the owner avoids paying employee insurance which their players don't receive either. Most careers last 2-3  years average, so get your money now before the checks stop coming in. 

 

Also check this out, simple minded people talking about "shut up, you get paid millions to play ball". That's true, but just because you get paid a lot, you just supposed to listen to whatever the "commissioner" tells you? What about years after these players retire and they end up cripple, because of all the blows their body has taken throughout their career?  All that money ain't going to mean jack if they confined to a wheelchair.

 

Honestly at first I didn't much like his attitude, but after looking at the whole thing I sort of respect him in a lot of ways.

[Superfly Jay]

Honestly at first I didn't much like his attitude, but after looking at the whole thing I sort of respect him in a lot of ways.

I don't really care for Sherman, but I have to give him props for doing this. A lot of players feels the same way, but are afraid to say anything about it. 

[rsrobinson]

I don't know what is so hard to understand about this.  The players agreed to these conditions in the CBA, if you don't want to talk to the media don't but then don't whine about the fine either.  Better yet campaign to get the rule changed in the next CBA.  As far as Sherman sticking it to the NFL, I doubt the NFL owners or headquarters are shaking in there collective boots over what Richard Sherman says.  He can have his deal with Beats, just do not wear them to his place of business that has a deal with Bose.  I doubt that if you worked for Pepsi they would want you wearing Coke gear whenever you showed up for work.  

 

One of my kids is a student manager for a large university's football program that has a deal with one of the large sporting goods corporations.  Whenever the student managers help out with practice they have to go into a building, change out of what they are wearing and change into gear provided by the company.  They are absolutely not allowed to wear any gear from a competitor on the practice or game fields.  Off the field, on their own time they and the players can wear whatever they want.

 

In regards to the Thursday night games, it does not promote player safety, but again the players agreed to them.  The time to discuss it was when the CBA was being worked out, I remember the players objecting to the idea of an 18 game season but nothing much about the Thursday night games.  Also, would Sherman be willing to take a pay cut if the Thursday night games went away? You see CBS pays the NFL a lot of money for those games and if that money goes away the salary cap does not go up or may even go down.  Where does CBS get the money to pay the NFL?  Thats right sponsorship deals, so you see Richard actually is getting paid part of the sponsorship money the check just does't happen to say Buick, Budweiser or Bose on it, and I have to believe he is smart enough to know it.

 

Considering that neither Sherman nor Baldwin were in the league when the current CBA was negotiated its a stretch to say they "agreed" to it.  Yes, it was part of their contract but the NFL isn't like the real world where if a college grad doesn't like the work conditions or union contract at one company they can simply choose to work for another company.  If you are an elite football player and want to play professionally at the highest level, the NFL is it.  It's a monopoly.  You seem to think that players should just shut up and play until their next CBA is up for negotiation.  I don't agree.  I think they have the right to speak out without the threat of harassment and fines from the league for doing so.

 

The bottom line is that there is a deep level of distrust right now between the players and the league office and, to a lesser extent, the players and the media.  What Sherman and Baldwin were doing was expressing exactly what a lot of players believe.  Part of the problem is the wild inconsistency of the punishments handed down by Goodell and his role as judge, jury, and executioner.  It wasn't just that the NFL fined Lynch for not talking to the media but that fining him $100,000 is way out of proportion to the crime.  That's a lot of money no matter how much a player makes.

 

And don't get me started about major college athletics, commercialism, and the NCAA.  There is no more corrupt and hypocritical sports organization in the country than the NCAA and the pretense that the multi-billion dollar college football and basketball industries are amateur athletics is a farce.  The NCAA and its attempt to enforce "amateurism" on these industries through a byzantine rulebook that no one understands is an archaic mess and claims that a college scholarship is fair compensation to athletes capable of putting 100,000 people in the stands and millions more via TV broadcasts is a joke.

[Jason_]

Considering that neither Sherman nor Baldwin were in the league when the current CBA was negotiated its a stretch to say they "agreed" to it. Yes, it was part of their contract but the NFL isn't like the real world where if a college grad doesn't like the work conditions or union contract at one company they can simply choose to work for another company. If you are an elite football player and want to play professionally at the highest level, the NFL is it. It's a monopoly.

They agreed to the terms when they signed their contracts. If they want to make the millions that they're making then they deal with the annoyances that come with the job.

On one hand I think it's stupid that they're forced to talk to the media, but as has been said it was collectively bargained. The players agreed to it.

[LordHelpOurColts]

Marshawn will always be my 'little green dude'

[ColtsSouljah]

Sherman and Lynch are both *s. Is 100k obscene? Sure, but no more so than their contracts. If you don't want to get fined for not talking to the media, then TALK. TO. THE. MEDIA.

[pacolts56]

Considering that neither Sherman nor Baldwin were in the league when the current CBA was negotiated its a stretch to say they "agreed" to it.  Yes, it was part of their contract but the NFL isn't like the real world where if a college grad doesn't like the work conditions or union contract at one company they can simply choose to work for another company.  If you are an elite football player and want to play professionally at the highest level, the NFL is it.  It's a monopoly.  You seem to think that players should just shut up and play until their next CBA is up for negotiation.  I don't agree.  I think they have the right to speak out without the threat of harassment and fines from the league for doing so.

 

The bottom line is that there is a deep level of distrust right now between the players and the league office and, to a lesser extent, the players and the media.  What Sherman and Baldwin were doing was expressing exactly what a lot of players believe.  Part of the problem is the wild inconsistency of the punishments handed down by Goodell and his role as judge, jury, and executioner.  It wasn't just that the NFL fined Lynch for not talking to the media but that fining him $100,000 is way out of proportion to the crime.  That's a lot of money no matter how much a player makes.

 

And don't get me started about major college athletics, commercialism, and the NCAA.  There is no more corrupt and hypocritical sports organization in the country than the NCAA and the pretense that the multi-billion dollar college football and basketball industries are amateur athletics is a farce.  The NCAA and its attempt to enforce "amateurism" on these industries through a byzantine rulebook that no one understands is an archaic mess and claims that a college scholarship is fair compensation to athletes capable of putting 100,000 people in the stands and millions more via TV broadcasts is a joke.

So I guess all the corruption and horrific persecution these brave and heroic martyrs are suffering will cause you to stop watching college and NFL games, huh?

[rsrobinson]

So I guess all the corruption and horrific persecution these brave and heroic martyrs are suffering will cause you to stop watching college and NFL games, huh?

Have you got a response to anything I wrote beyond dumb strawman distortions?

Didn't think so.

[Superfly Jay]

So I guess all the corruption and horrific persecution these brave and heroic martyrs are suffering will cause you to stop watching college and NFL games, huh?

What does that have to do with anything? Just because he see's the NFL and NCAA for what it is, he shouldn't be a fan anymore? It's entertainment, but there is a lot of corrupt stuff and double standards going on behind the scenes. 

[braveheartcolt]

So drink companies shouldn't be allowed to advertise their products because people break the law? Typical Sherman self promotion. The NFL should pay him 100k not to speak to the media.

[HtownColt]

Not my money so therefore I don't care

Classic interview/segment though

[MJD42]

Considering that neither Sherman nor Baldwin were in the league when the current CBA was negotiated its a stretch to say they "agreed" to it.  Yes, it was part of their contract but the NFL isn't like the real world where if a college grad doesn't like the work conditions or union contract at one company they can simply choose to work for another company.  If you are an elite football player and want to play professionally at the highest level, the NFL is it.  It's a monopoly.  You seem to think that players should just shut up and play until their next CBA is up for negotiation.  I don't agree.  I think they have the right to speak out without the threat of harassment and fines from the league for doing so.

 

The bottom line is that there is a deep level of distrust right now between the players and the league office and, to a lesser extent, the players and the media.  What Sherman and Baldwin were doing was expressing exactly what a lot of players believe.  Part of the problem is the wild inconsistency of the punishments handed down by Goodell and his role as judge, jury, and executioner.  It wasn't just that the NFL fined Lynch for not talking to the media but that fining him $100,000 is way out of proportion to the crime.  That's a lot of money no matter how much a player makes.

 

And don't get me started about major college athletics, commercialism, and the NCAA.  There is no more corrupt and hypocritical sports organization in the country than the NCAA and the pretense that the multi-billion dollar college football and basketball industries are amateur athletics is a farce.  The NCAA and its attempt to enforce "amateurism" on these industries through a byzantine rulebook that no one understands is an archaic mess and claims that a college scholarship is fair compensation to athletes capable of putting 100,000 people in the stands and millions more via TV broadcasts is a joke.

Are you serious with that first sentence? So what if they weren't part of the league when the CBA was signed, it is part of their contracts therefore they agreed to it. No one is forcing them to play in the NFL you know.

 

The part that really irks me is neither Sherman nor Baldwin realize how poor this plays with the public. Here they are griping about a policy that says you have to speak to the media as though that is some type of albatross around their neck while the rest of actually deal with real work issues like not getting laid off before the end of the year from our jobs that pay us just enough to provide for our families. I mean serious guys. Reality check?

 

If they have grievances with the league than they should call a meeting with league reps and sit down and see what can be done before the next CBA. To air this stuff publicly just looks like grandstanding and nauseates the viewing public who watch these guys for their play on the field not their grievances with a league that pays them millions off of it.

[pacolts56]

Have you got a response to anything I wrote beyond dumb strawman distortions?

Didn't think so.

All I know is that after a dissertation like that, which ricocheted into college football....you sounded like a vegan that just had a veal cutlet topped with foie gras crammed down his throat....and then oddly crawls back for more.

 

And distortions?

 

Stanford grad Sherman made a sophomorically lame connection between an NFL beer sponsorship and some of his fellow NFL player's inability to either control their drinking...or get a safe ride home when they can't....implying that the drunken player's reckless irresponsibility gets pinned on the NFL for doing business with the sponsor in the first place.

 

Or was Sherman's illustration not a distortion?

 

And let's take it a step further....since he's the Seahawk's union rep and so deeply concerned that beer sponsorships = DUIs....I trust we'll see Sherman demand the dismissal of Anheuser-Busch, or any other brewer, as an NFL sponsor in future CBA negotiations, in spite of the fact that those sponsorship dollars funnel down to the players by way of the 45% of NFL Ventures income share drawn up in the current deal.

 

In effect...union rep Sherman was biting the hand that feeds him....now that he has his belly full to the tune of $56M, of course.

 

The problem is, if I'm on a rookie contract or I'm a mid-level salaried veteran for the Seahawks...I'm not sure I'd be thrilled about a so-called union rep who, without question, has his own agenda and doesn't think thru his self-promoting theatrics....compounded by a pie-hole he's clearly unable and probably unwilling to control.  

 

Between the NFL and college football you have a couple thousand athletes, a hundred or so college programs and 32 NFL owners...with tens of billions of $$$$ flying around. Yes....there are some things that need to be fixed.

 

But at an absolute bare minimum....the NFL athlete has long had the opportunity for a college education with little or nothing out of pocket, and possibly very much more. There are worse fates in life.

 

Have your opinion on what is fair and what isn't, you're perfectly entitled to it, but my point was that if your opinion is THAT strong.....I'm just surprised you watch the sport at all.

[rsrobinson]

Oh gee Sherman taking another op to make something that has nothing to do with him about himself with his now tiresome railings against the league. Makes you want to puke. 

 

And shouldn't he and Badlwin being worrying about the post-season and not doing little duets together? Big game tomorrow night that could be a big step toward ending their post-season hopes if they lose ...

Yeah, it looks like their little skit really distracted Sherman and Baldwin from preparing for the 49ers.

[braveheartcolt]

All I know is that after a dissertation like that, which ricocheted into college football....you sounded like a vegan that just had a veal cutlet topped with foie gras crammed down his throat....and then oddly crawls back for more.

 

And distortions?

 

Stanford grad Sherman made a sophomorically lame connection between an NFL beer sponsorship and some of his fellow NFL player's inability to either control their drinking...or get a safe ride home when they can't....implying that the drunken player's reckless irresponsibility gets pinned on the NFL for doing business with the sponsor in the first place.

 

Or was Sherman's illustration not a distortion?

 

And let's take it a step further....since he's the Seahawk's union rep and so deeply concerned that beer sponsorships = DUIs....I trust we'll see Sherman demand the dismissal of Anheuser-Busch, or any other brewer, as an NFL sponsor in future CBA negotiations, in spite of the fact that those sponsorship dollars funnel down to the players by way of the 45% of NFL Ventures income share drawn up in the current deal.

 

In effect...union rep Sherman was biting the hand that feeds him....now that he has his belly full to the tune of $56M, of course.

 

The problem is, if I'm on a rookie contract or I'm a mid-level salaried veteran for the Seahawks...I'm not sure I'd be thrilled about a so-called union rep who, without question, has his own agenda and doesn't think thru his self-promoting theatrics....compounded by a pie-hole he's clearly unable and probably unwilling to control.  

 

Between the NFL and college football you have a couple thousand athletes, a hundred or so college programs and 32 NFL owners...with tens of billions of $$$$ flying around. Yes....there are some things that need to be fixed.

 

But at an absolute bare minimum....the NFL athlete has long had the opportunity for a college education with little or nothing out of pocket, and possibly very much more. There are worse fates in life.

 

Have your opinion on what is fair and what isn't, you're perfectly entitled to it, but my point was that if your opinion is THAT strong.....I'm just surprised you watch the sport at all.

Post of the year candidate right there.

[sweetsurrender]

Yeah, it looks like their little skit really distracted Sherman and Baldwin from preparing for the 49ers.

Yes and Sherman was his usual classy self in victory.

[TKnight24]

Oh gee Sherman taking another op to make something that has nothing to do with him about himself with his now tiresome railings against the league. Makes you want to puke.

And shouldn't he and Badlwin being worrying about the post-season and not doing little duets together? Big game tomorrow night that could be a big step toward ending their post-season hopes if they lose ...

How does doing a press conference joke have ANY effect on their field play?

Sherman had 2 (almost 3) INT's Thursday, don't think their play was affected at all

[Dustin]

Ya'll are really harping about the DUI thing he said. I fell like he wasn't trying to make a point with that and it just slipped out while he was ranting.

 

Otherwise, this is spot on. 

[Dustin]

ITT: You're not allowed to dislike things because you agreed to them. 

[sweetsurrender]

How does doing a press conference joke have ANY effect on their field play?

Sherman had 2 (almost 3) INT's Thursday, don't think their play was affected at all

I didn't say it WOULD but that they SHOULD be focusing on what was the biggest game of their season Thursday night instead of doing skits airing their gripes against the league. If it were MY team that is how I would want them to prepare. But that is just me.

[Cynjin]

Considering that neither Sherman nor Baldwin were in the league when the current CBA was negotiated its a stretch to say they "agreed" to it.  Yes, it was part of their contract but the NFL isn't like the real world where if a college grad doesn't like the work conditions or union contract at one company they can simply choose to work for another company.  If you are an elite football player and want to play professionally at the highest level, the NFL is it.  It's a monopoly.  You seem to think that players should just shut up and play until their next CBA is up for negotiation.  I don't agree.  I think they have the right to speak out without the threat of harassment and fines from the league for doing so.

 

The bottom line is that there is a deep level of distrust right now between the players and the league office and, to a lesser extent, the players and the media.  What Sherman and Baldwin were doing was expressing exactly what a lot of players believe.  Part of the problem is the wild inconsistency of the punishments handed down by Goodell and his role as judge, jury, and executioner.  It wasn't just that the NFL fined Lynch for not talking to the media but that fining him $100,000 is way out of proportion to the crime.  That's a lot of money no matter how much a player makes.

 

And don't get me started about major college athletics, commercialism, and the NCAA.  There is no more corrupt and hypocritical sports organization in the country than the NCAA and the pretense that the multi-billion dollar college football and basketball industries are amateur athletics is a farce.  The NCAA and its attempt to enforce "amateurism" on these industries through a byzantine rulebook that no one understands is an archaic mess and claims that a college scholarship is fair compensation to athletes capable of putting 100,000 people in the stands and millions more via TV broadcasts is a joke.

 

Actually I agree with a lot of this.  There are only two points of the many that I may have some issue with; 1) the fine is what was negotiated, it may be out of proportion to other transgressions and I would not disagree with that, but the fine is what the fine is and 2) The players should "just shut up and play", to a certain extent yes they should.  It is kind of like the "discussions/whining" that goes on this message board about Trent Richardson.  It is done and over with, whining about it will not change one thing, just deal with it and move on.  Or at least Sherman/Baldwin should complain to the right people, which would be the NFLPA and not the NFL.  The NFLPA negotiated that contract on behalf of the players, they are the party that thought the fines and rules were acceptable to the players, otherwise they would have not signed the CBA.  Sherman's and Baldwin's complaints should be directed at DeMaurice Smith and his staff if those rules are unacceptable.

[Surge89]

All I know is that after a dissertation like that, which ricocheted into college football....you sounded like a vegan that just had a veal cutlet topped with foie gras crammed down his throat....and then oddly crawls back for more.

 

And distortions?

 

Stanford grad Sherman made a sophomorically lame connection between an NFL beer sponsorship and some of his fellow NFL player's inability to either control their drinking...or get a safe ride home when they can't....implying that the drunken player's reckless irresponsibility gets pinned on the NFL for doing business with the sponsor in the first place.

 

Or was Sherman's illustration not a distortion?

 

And let's take it a step further....since he's the Seahawk's union rep and so deeply concerned that beer sponsorships = DUIs....I trust we'll see Sherman demand the dismissal of Anheuser-Busch, or any other brewer, as an NFL sponsor in future CBA negotiations, in spite of the fact that those sponsorship dollars funnel down to the players by way of the 45% of NFL Ventures income share drawn up in the current deal.

 

In effect...union rep Sherman was biting the hand that feeds him....now that he has his belly full to the tune of $56M, of course.

 

The problem is, if I'm on a rookie contract or I'm a mid-level salaried veteran for the Seahawks...I'm not sure I'd be thrilled about a so-called union rep who, without question, has his own agenda and doesn't think thru his self-promoting theatrics....compounded by a pie-hole he's clearly unable and probably unwilling to control.  

 

Between the NFL and college football you have a couple thousand athletes, a hundred or so college programs and 32 NFL owners...with tens of billions of $$$$ flying around. Yes....there are some things that need to be fixed.

 

But at an absolute bare minimum....the NFL athlete has long had the opportunity for a college education with little or nothing out of pocket, and possibly very much more. There are worse fates in life.

 

Have your opinion on what is fair and what isn't, you're perfectly entitled to it, but my point was that if your opinion is THAT strong.....I'm just surprised you watch the sport at all.

 

Much Logic..... can't compute...

 

Nice post :-)

[Valpo2004]

I don't really care for Sherman, but I have to give him props for doing this. A lot of players feels the same way, but are afraid to say anything about it. 

 

Sherman has enough "I don't care" attitude along with the clout to be heard because of his play to say something like this.

 

So he's a good spokesman in this case.