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 Sherman was on his best behavior when he fronted a packed news
conference shortly after his team touched down to prepare for next
weekend's Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos.
There was no trash talking or chest-beating this time as he was
grilled by the media.
"I think you're always cognizant as a football player that what you
say is going to get attention," he said.
"Especially in today's world, where everybody's looking for a story.
But in the end, it's all going to come down to who plays the best
football on Sunday."
His responses were in a stark contrast to a week ago when he
publicly taunted his San Francisco 49ers opponents after his
game-winning deflection.
Sherman later apologized for his boorish outburst but the National
Football League took a dim view of his actions, slapping him with a
$7,875 fine for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Asked whether he regretted taking the focus away from the team's win
and putting himself in the media spotlight, Sherman said it could be
a blessing in disguise.
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"I definitely think it helped," he said. "Everybody getting the
chance to see the craziness, the tons of media in our press
conferences. Things like that definitely can help us get ready and
get focused now that we're here this week."
On Sunday, the dreadlocked Sherman had nothing but high praise for
the Denver Broncos team he faces next week and said he hoped people
would see him in a different light.
Sherman was raised in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Los
Angeles but defied his upbringing to get a scholarship to Stanford,
where he graduated with a degree in communication.
A natural athlete who excelled in track and field as well as
football, Sherman was drafted into the NFL in 2011 and has quickly
established himself as one of the best defenders in the game.
"I am just a guy trying to be the best," he said. "I came from
humble beginnings and came from a place where not everyone gets out
of. I am just trying to affect the world in a positive way."
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