Richard Sherman: Frustration led to sideline meltdown

A visibly angry cornerback Richard Sherman let his emotions fly on the sidelines during the Seattle Seahawks – Atlanta Falcons game.

ESPN reports his outburst was first directed at defensive coordinator Kris Richard. Teammates Michael Bennett, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner tried to calm him down.

"It was just a miscommunication," Sherman said. "Kelcie [McCray] hasn't been in the defense that long. We tried to make a new adjustment, and it was just a miscommunication; frustrating play."

The Seahawks allowed three touchdowns, blew two coverages and watched All-Pro Sherman blow his top after a miscommunication led to a 36-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones.

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>> Related: Sherman: ‘We don't have a reason to trust the NFL'

When Sherman lost his cool on the sidelines, the Seahawks were in the lead. ESPN looked into what set Sherman off, given that miscommunication happens on a weekly basis in the NFL.

"Because it was something we discussed," Sherman said. "That's mostly what it was ... It was a blown coverage, and we should never give them points when we could've stopped them and held them to nothing. They scored on blown coverages. The one [Mohamed] Sanu caught was a great play, but the other two were blown coverages."

ESPN Seattle reports that by the time Seattle regrouped to not only reclaim the lead but hold off the Falcons on one final possession, the question wasn't so much what happened during Sunday's game but how meaningful it will be going forward.

“We’re emotional,” coach Pete Carroll said. “It’s an emotional team, emotional guys and we ride that emotion. I’m not surprised when we get that hot.

“We’ve got to control it better, so we don’t get in the way of what’s coming up, but that’s what these guys are like.”

>> Related: Falcons fan upset after loss: 'I hate Richard Sherman' (VIDEO)

Arguments happen on football teams. Even on the sidelines--in fact, especially on the sidelines. And in his sixth season in the NFL, it’s not like Sherman is going to go off the deep end. Chancellor, the captain of the defense, said Seattle will be better for what happened on the sideline. Though he wasn’t playing in the game, Chancellor was active in trying to get the defense to regroup on the sideline.

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“Those moments like that make us stronger, make us closer,” Chancellor said, “make us love each other even more and make us want to play for each other even more. That’s all it is, man: Brothers.

“When you’re real brothers and you’re connected like that, sometimes you get into little scuffles. You can handle it differently and not even let those happen, but sometimes it happens and it makes you stronger.”

Cox Media Group