Richard Sherman Does Good (Again)
By Lee Vowell
Sherman makes good on a promise
Here’s something not worth noting, but must be said. For all the hate Richard Sherman gets for whatever he gets it for, he’s a good human being. The stereotype is that Sherman is brash and outspoken and opinionated and overly emotional. Whether this is all true or not is a bit ridiculous. Sherman is nothing like the Greg Hardys of the world. Sherman is a good guy, whether you like his style or politics does not make him less so. Sometimes it is difficult for fans to see the difference between the person and the football player. The guy who hits his significant other or is possibly involved in harming another person physically? He’s probably not so great a real person. The guy who speaks his mind and does so loudly but cares about others? You know, he’s probably a good example of the human race.
Sherman is a good example
Last year, Sherman met Varina High School (Henrico, Virginia) upcoming senior Hershai James and made her a promise. Sherman said if James were to get a 3.0 GPA her senior year he would pay for her college tuition. James was taken aback, as most people would be. “A professional athlete who has no ties to me personally? Why would he need to keep a promise like that?” many would rightfully ask.
Sherman met James at former Seahawk fullback Michael Robinson’s annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Football Camp. This is part of Robinson’s Excel to Excellence Foundation. Robinson is a former Varina graduate himself and gives back to the community in many ways. The foundation was set up in part to help youth realize graduating from high school and going to college is a good thing.
After James made the honor roll this year Sherman was contacted through Jonathan Mayo, Excel to Excellent program director, and Sherman made good on his promise. As Wes McElroy wrote in his piece on Sherman and James in the Richmond Times-Disptach, Sherman said, “It goes back to knowledge is power and if you have knowledge you’re going to be as powerful as you would ever want to be.”
James earned her part of the deal with Sherman and Sherman followed-through on his end. The world sometimes is a very good place.