Richard Sherman: ‘thug is acceptable way to call someone the N-word’
Richard Sherman is grabbing most of the pre-Super Bowl headlines these days. Wednesday, Sherman addressed some of the comments about his post-game interview, many of which referred to Sherman as a thug.
When asked how he felt about being called a thug, Sherman gave a thought-provoking response.
“The reason it bothers me is because it seems like it’s an accepted way of calling somebody the N-word now,” he said. “It’s like everybody else said the N-word and then they say ‘thug’ and that’s fine. It kind of takes me aback and it’s kind of disappointing because they know.
“What’s the definition of a thug? Really? Can a guy on a football field just talking to people [be a thug?] … There was a hockey game where they didn’t even play hockey! (Laughter from the media) They just threw the puck aside and started fighting. I saw that and said, ‘Ah, man, I’m the thug? What’s going on here?'” (More laughter from the media). So I’m really disappointed in being called a thug,” he said.
According to Deadspin, the word “thug” was uttered 625 times on American television the day after Sherman’s rant. That’s more than any other day in the last three years.
Do you agree with Sherman?
Has the word thug become a substitute for ni**er?
Sound off below!
