Bucs' Sherman says troubled off season led to positive changes
Richard Sherman was arrested in July of this year after an incident at his wife's parents house. A pretrail hearing will be held Friday in Washington.
Former Super Bowl Champion cornerback Richard Sherman signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday and will start a new chapter of his career while attempting to close the book on one of the darkest parts of his past.
Bucs injury plagued secondary brings Sherman
Sherman was brought in by head coach Bruce Arians and the Bucs after some early season injury trouble in the secondary. Cornerback Jamal Dean limped off the field after suffering a knee injury last week in Tampa Bay’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Sherman hopped on a plane from Seattle, arriving in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, and was at the Bucs practice facility before sunrise the Wednesday morning. After a COVID test and a physical Sherman suited up and practiced with his new team just hours after signing his contract.
Sherman arrested on July 15.
The signing comes just months after a run in with police in July. Sherman was arrested and charged for five misdemeanors after an incident at his in-laws house in Redmond, Virginia. He was charged with two counts of domestic violence, as well as resisting arrest, reckless endangerment and driving under the influence.
His wife Ashely said in her call to 911 on July 15th that Sherman was “drunk and belligerent” and threatening to commit suicide.
The five time Pro Bowler pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sherman went to Twitter shortly after saying he was “deeply remorseful” for his actions stating he “behaved in a manner I’m not proud of.”
Sherman sought help and therapy after incident
Speaking about about the incident to reporters on Wednesday, Sherman said "It led to some really positive changes -- some help, some therapies, some tools that I didn't have before -- to address some things that you kind of let stack up in your mind," the three time NFL first teamer continued "You never have time to address them. It's not the right moment. It's not the right place in your life to deal with these emotions and feelings."
Sherman, who played a limited role for the San Francisco 49ers last season, said he will need at least a week to get game ready and pick up the terminology used by the Bucs defense.
Since the incident the corner back has been focusing on getting his off the field life in order, "It led to some really positive changes -- some help, some therapies, some tools that I didn't have before -- to address some things that you kind of let stack up in your mind," he said. "You never have time to address them. It's not the right moment. It's not the right place in your life to deal with these emotions and feelings."
Arians doesn't expect Sherman to play this week
Bruce Arians has know Sherman for the better part of a decade, said "I don't think Richard needs any support system, but we have all that he needs.”
When asked if Sherman would feature in the Bucs Sunday Night game against the Patriots, Arians said "There'd be a bunch of guys hurt if he's out there this week," the Super Bowl winning coach continued saying "We'll wait and see. ... He's got so much to learn and he hasn't had pads on in so long. But he does know how to play the game."
Sherman is scheduled to appear at a pretrial hearing Friday in Washington.