Every Great Story Needs a Villain

 

Spider-Man and Venom. Professor X and Magneto. Super-Man and Lex Luthor. Every epic tale needs a villain. As we prepare for Super Bowl XLVIII, Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman has firmly supplanted Bill Belichick as this story’s antagonist. Peyton Manning, Wes Welker, and the clean cut, choir boys of Denver will face off against Sherman, Bruce Irvin, and the Legion of Boom defense from Seattle. For the first time since 2009, the two best teams in the league during the regular season will meet in two weeks to determine who will fly home with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For Sherman and Co, it’s one more opportunity to defy the doubters both with their play on the field and their words off of it.

Following Seattle’s 23-17 victory over rival San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday in which Sherman made a stellar play on the game winning interception, the All-Pro verbally berated the 49ers and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. “I’m the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you going to get.” Sherman’s comments were met largely with disdain by the media and the public at large. Since then, the Seahawk has backtracked on his statement, saying that it was in the heat of the moment after 60 minutes of verbal sparring between he and the 49ers’ pass catcher. Reports also came out this morning that Crabtree and Sherman got into a physical altercation at a charity event last year. So, this is hardly an isolated incident. 

Whether or not you find Sherman’s actions repulsive (and if you do, maybe you should get some thicker skin), the drama that combusted following the NFC Championship will only prove to add intrigue for February 2nd, when the Seahawks and Broncos will meet for all the marbles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. On that date, the best offense in football will quarrel with the greatest defense in the game, with the winner being immortalized as a champion above all. For Sherman, his statements only serve to fuel the fire lit under Manning, who will attempt to win his second championship in three attempts. One thing is for sure, Sherman and the Seattle defense backed up their smack talk with an impressive performance against San Francisco. If they can do the same in the wintry weather of New Jersey, it won’t matter what verbal garbage is emitted from their traps.

In every great war, there is a memorable villain; an antagonistic and selfish character hellbent on affirming their status as the greatest being in the world. Richard Sherman, with his persistent inclination to spew self-serving drama, has announced to the world that he is this character. He is the villain of Super Bowl XLVIII.