Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman insists he isn't an instigator.
"I'm more of a responder," Sherman said during the 2015 season. "I don't go after anybody. If somebody wants to say something outrageous and outlandish to me, I'd happily put them right back in their seat. That's just how it's always been. People say, 'Oh, he's not as talkative as he once was.' Because nobody's been disrespectful. Respect gets respect. Disrespect gets disrespect. It's always been that way, but there's been no disrespect, so there's no reason for me to say anything. It's been calm."
Sherman had a plan when he entered the NFL. It involved working on his craft and becoming an All-Pro defensive back. But it also included showing his personality to the football world and capitalizing on opportunities off the field.
That plan has led to a number of player rivalries over the years. Below is a rundown of five of the more memorable ones.
Tom Brady: In 2012, Sherman approached Brady after a Seahawks win and uttered those three marketable words, "You mad, bro?" Sherman now sells T-shirts and hoodies with the phrase. Before Super Bowl XLIX, he offered his opinion of Brady.
"I think people somehow get a skewed view of Tom Brady," Sherman said. "That he’s just a clean-cut guy that does everything right and never says a bad word to anyone. We know him to be otherwise."
Michael Crabtree: This is probably the most legitimate feud on the list. After Sherman sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl by deflecting a pass intended for Crabtree in the NFC title game in January 2014, he went off on the then-San Francisco 49ers wide receiver.
"I'm the best corner in the game," Sherman screamed during a postgame interview with Erin Andrews. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're going to get. Don't you ever talk about me."
Patrick Peterson: Money and stats fueled this Twitter beef. After Sherman signed a contract extension, Peterson said he deserved just as much money from the Cardinals. Sherman advised onlookers to "never confuse potential with production." Peterson fired back, saying Sherman wasn't a lockdown cornerback because of the Seahawks' scheme.
Darrelle Revis: Another well-paid, top-tier cornerback who mixed it up with Sherman on social media. In 2013, Revis accused Sherman of running his mouth to gain notoriety. Sherman once again used his stats to defend his play. But after the Seahawks' win against the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, Revis congratulated Sherman, so these two appear to be on good terms for now.
Trent Williams: It's rare for a player to take a swing at an opponent after the game, but that's what happened when the Seahawks beat the Washington Redskins in a playoff game in January 2013. As players were shaking hands, Williams threatened to punch Sherman. Sherman dared him to follow through, and Williams struck the cornerback in the face. A couple years later, Williams called Sherman a "great dude" and said the two had squashed their beef.
Honorable mentions: Sherman advised DeAngelo Hall to have some pride in his play. ... Sherman and running back LeGarrette Blount went back and forth about Aqib Talib. ... After the Crabtree exchange, Colin Kaepernick defended his teammate and called Sherman ridiculous. ... In 2011, Sherman called A.J. Green "a lot of noise talking and bad routes." ... Before a game against Calvin Johnson, Sherman called himself Optimus Prime. ... In Week 17 last season, Sherman drew a taunting penalty for going after Arizona Cardinals receiver John Brown.