Seahawks player dismisses locker room turmoil story to no one’s surprise

Defensive end Cliff Avril called the ESPN story fake news. He is the 90th Seahawks to dismiss the story as less than credible.

The Seahawks are understandably a bit tired of the ESPN story on their huge locker room divide. I’m tired of it, as I wrote about a month ago, so I know they sure as heck are sick of it. We’ve written about this issue quite a bit, in fact. I was quite hopeful that I’d never be writing about it again. I know have no doubt that the second question for Super Bowl LII MVP Shaq Griffin – you know, after they ask him where he’s going next – will be about the locker room turmoil.

The locker room of which he was not a part during the alleged turmoil, of course. But you must consider the brilliance of basing this alleged atmosphere of dissent on a practice field insult from three years ago. Clearly, nothing is impossible for some writers.

More from 12th Man Rising

• 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
• Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency 
• Seahawks podcast: A review of the first week of free agency
• 4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
• 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson

Seahawks have denounced this story endlessly

Obviously that was not enough. In an interview on the NFL No Huddle podcast Friday, Cliff Avril was asked about the locker room issue. Avril had quite a bit to say, although none of it really different from what every other Seahawk player and coach has already said.

"“I think it’s all fake news. I think it’s all dead. It was a dead period so people needed something to talk about.“But at the same time too, let’s be honest, it’s 90 guys in the locker room right now. There is no way that 90 guys are going to always get along. That’s just what it is. I’m pretty sure there are people at your job right now that’s way less than 90 that don’t get along. That’s just part of it.“Now as far as it being Russ and Sherm or Russ and whoever, I don’t think that’s true. I’ve never had any issues with Russ. I don’t think anybody has issues with Russ. We all want the best for Russ, and Russ wants the best for us. That’s the only way we are going to succeed. I haven’t seen it. I don’t know what they are referring to. Maybe they know something that I don’t know. I don’t know.”"

To the credit of the No Huddle team, Brian Webber and Nick Ferguson, this was just one question of many they had for Avril. I encourage you to listen in, as Avril has a lot to say on his great work building homes in Haiti, the pass rush summit held by Von Miller, and much more. For more on Avril’s foundation, just click here. I guarantee it will be better reading than an article about nothing.

Finally, the writer’s response to the denial by various Seahawks

First, let me admit that fewer than 90 Seahawks have trashed the original article. But of all who have addressed it, no one has backed any of the supposed turmoil. You’d think that at least one player no longer with Seattle would have backed him up on this.

So, Mr. Wickersham’s response, specifically to Michael Bennett’s denial:

It isn’t clear which building Wickersham meant. I assume he means the Seahawks facility, because who would care if people at ESPN said he nailed it? So again, where are all the former Seahawks coming forward to support this story? Could it be that the Seahawks culture is so supportive an inclusive that even players no longer with the team won’t speak out? That would indicate…solidarity, wouldn’t it? Hmmm…Somehow, I think there are exactly zero people who said you nailed it, Mr. Wickersham. Cliff Avril is just the latest to say the story was written “because people needed something to talk about.”