Richard Sherman entered the 2019 NFL season betting on himself, negotiating a contract in the offseason with the 49ers laden with performance incentives, and he’s spent the year proving week-in and week-out that he’s still an elite defensive back at the age of 31. Sherman earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection and made second-team All-Pro in his first season with the 49ers, and he played a major role in frustrating Kirk Cousins in the Vikings offense on Saturday.
When Cousins made a fateful decision to throw at Sherman on what appeared to be a blown route by Adam Thielen, Sherman came up with an interception in the Vikings’ own half that put the 49ers in perfect position.
The 49ers would go on to score a touchdown on the ensuing drive, increasing their lead and effectively sealing the game, given the dominance of the defense over the entire game.
In a press conference afterward, Sherman shredded critics who believe he’s “just” a zone corner.
“I get tired of hearing ‘oh man, he’s a zone corner.’ I get tired of hearing the excuses of why I’m great. It was man coverage, I covered the man, I picked the ball off. In the playoffs, in big games, I show up. I show up year-in, year-out, whether it’s 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. Unless I tear my Achilles, I’m out there and I’m doing my job at a high level. I get tired of excuses for why I’m good.”
