Richard Sherman open to future role as NFLPA head
Richard Sherman is arguably the most candid interview in the NFL, and while he's not entirely sure whether his views are representative of players in general, he can imagine speaking for them in the future.
Sherman said he'd consider taking over DeMaurice Smith's role as executive director of the NFLPA when his career is over in an interview with Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm on Tuesday.
"Potentially. It depends on the landscape of the league," Sherman said when asked about possibly becoming head of the union in about a decade. "But there's definitely potential for it. Time will tell, but who knows?"
The three-time Pro Bowler's sincerity is one of the defining traits of his career. He hasn't been hesitant to opine on a number of issues, including player safety, police brutality, new rule proposals, and the NCAA.
The Seattle Seahawks star cornerback also penned a column for The MMQB over the past few seasons, where he articulated his often contrarian viewpoints on a number of NFL issues.
Asked whether he's already acting as a de facto spokesman for the NFL's players, Sherman said it was possible, but only because he's been honest about his personal opinions.
"Honestly, I don't even think about it ... but maybe. I just really try to be honest with my opinion when I am asked a question. I sometimes feel like guys are more afraid to be criticized," Sherman said. "They try their best to avoid elongated conversations or interviews or speaking about any issues because it hurts them, hurts their brand so to speak.
"Everybody is a critic. Everybody has an opinion. If you're not with the majority, you're criticized. I am one of the few guys who, really, couldn't care less about being a certain way. You are going to criticize me anyway, so I don't care. I am going to speak up, especially now when it comes to things that affect players and affect players in a negative way."
Sherman was also asked whether he'd ever consider becoming NFL commissioner, but believes the league's owners would balk at the prospect.
"I mean, obviously, I doubt the owners would ever want me as commissioner," Sherman said. "Clearly, I would be a player-centric commissioner. That's what this league is made from: great players. I would be more reasonable about things, such as rules and regulations in our league, and that's not necessarily what they're (the owners) for."