Richard Sherman is not one to shy away from social and political issues and in an interview with ESPN’s new website, the Undefeated, which is focused on the intersection of race and sports, he talked about recent events between the black community and police officers.
During a press conference last year, Richard Sherman told the media that he believes that all lives matter and not just one type of people.
“I think people should realize at the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Before we’re black, white, Asian, Polynesian, Latino, we’re humans,” Sherman said.
“I think a person saying that we should celebrate our humanity and that all lives matter, if that turns off an advertiser or turns off a company, then more power to you,” Sherman said after mentioning that more athletes should speak out on social issues.
“We need to deal with our own internal issues before we start moving forward and start attacking other people. We need to solidify ourselves as a people and deal with our issues because I think as long as we have black-on-black crime and one black man killing another, if black lives matter, then they should matter all the time,” Sherman said.
In the interview with the Undefeated, Sherman stood by the phrase “All Lives Matter” after saying that he did not fully support the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
“It’s hard to formulate an opinion and generalize because they have several different messages. Some of them are peaceful and understandable and some of them are very radical and hard to support. Any time you see people who are saying, ‘Black Lives Matter,’ and then saying it’s time to kill police, then it is difficult to stand behind that logic. They are generalizing police just like they are asking police not to generalize us. It is very hypocritical. So, in that respect, I find it difficult to fully support that movement.
I stand by what I said that All Lives Matter and that we are human beings. And speaking to police, I want African-Americans and everybody else treated decently. I want them treated like human beings. And I also want the police treated like human beings. I don’t want police officers just getting knocked off in the street who haven’t done anything wrong. Those are innocent lives.”
Sherman added that officers are there to serve the community and that there are a few that don’t do it well.
“It’s a tough time we are living in, a very scary time. It’s an uncertain future. It’s frustrating on both sides. Because you understand that police officers have a duty and a job. They sacrifice a lot to protect and serve. And I understand that some don’t do it the right way,” Sherman said.
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