Richard Sherman and Tom Brady Have One of the Nastiest Rivalries in the NFL
Tom Brady and Richard Sherman are two of the NFL’s greatest players at their respective positions. But the two haven’t always gotten along. They actually had a well-publicized beef that culminated in a faceoff in Super Bowl XLIX. Let’s look at Brady and Sherman’s careers, their nasty rivalry, and where the two stand today.
Tom Brady’s career
With six Super Bowl rings, Brady is clearly one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Not only has he had a great NFL career, but he also shows few signs of slowing down. Take a look at just a few of Brady’s accomplishments so far:
- Win-loss record of 215-61
- Completion percentage of 64.1
- 73,050 passing yards
- 531 career touchdowns
- 176 interceptions
- Three-time NFL Most Valuable Player
- Three-time All-Pro
- 14-time Pro Bowl selection
Richard Sherman’s career
Sherman emerged in the mid-2010s as one of the best corners in the NFL. While he isn’t quite the player he once was with the Seattle Seahawks, he’s still extremely effective as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Here are some of Sherman’s career achievements:
- 35 interceptions, including one year when he led the league with eight (2013)
- 111 passes defended
- Three interceptions returned for a touchdown
- Five forced fumbles
- Six fumble recoveries
- Two sacks
- Four-time Pro Bowl selection
- Three-time All-Pro
- One Super Bowl championship
- Two AFC championships
How Sherman and Brady’s feud began
The bad blood began on October 14, 2012, when the favored New England Patriots took on the Seahawks in Seattle. Both teams were coming off playoff appearances the year before. At this time, the Seahawks had yet to win their championship, and the infamous “Legion of Boom” defense was in its infancy.
Sherman was not yet a household name, but he took his first steps toward becoming one on this day. According to the cornerback, Brady trash-talked him and safety Earl Thomas.
While Sherman indicated Brady started the encounter, neither he nor Thomas backed down, saying: “We’re greater than you. We’re better than you. You’re just a man — we’re a team.” According to USA Today, the Seahawks teammates went on to say, “That’s the Brady Bunch; this is a defense. We’ve got 11 players out there to play great ball, and we’re never going to let one man beat us.”
During this game, Brady missed a third-down throw to likely win the matchup. Then, Wilson threw for the game-winning touchdown. As the Patriots quarterback exited the field, Sherman approached Brady, yelling, “You mad, bro?”
Sherman refused to back down and apologize for his role in the fracas, letting people know that Brady talks more trash than most realize. Later, the cornerback tweeted the same “You mad, bro” sentiment, then deleted it.
Where Sherman and Brady stand today
The beef was seemingly squashed when the Patriots and Seahawks met in Super Bowl XLIX. Despite a hard-fought game, the Patriots prevailed. After the game, Sherman approached Brady and stuck out his hand. Brady didn’t notice at first, but once he did he stood up from his kneeling stance and accepted the handshake, telling Sherman, “You’re a great player.”
While it’s doubtful the two have spent any Thanksgivings together in the ensuing years, it’s clear they both recognize that the other is one of the best.
