Seahawks’ Richard Sherman fined for taunting Michael Crabtree, 49ers
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has been fined $7,875 by the NFL for taunting the San Francisco 49ers during the final minute of the NFC championship game on Sunday in Seattle.
With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Sherman deflected a pass in the end zone intended for 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith intercepted the tipped pass, sealing the Seahawks’ 23-17 victory over San Francisco.
After the play, Sherman ran after Crabtree, patted his behind and tried to shake his hand, prompting the San Francisco receiver to push the Seahawks cornerback in the face.
Sherman then made a choking gesture toward the 49ers bench, which he said was meant for quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who threw the pass that was intercepted.
Sherman was flagged for taunting after the play.
Though his actions on the field guaranteed Seattle’s second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history (the first was in 2005), his postgame rant to Fox Sports’ Erin Andrews likely will be what people remember most.
The Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Feb. 2.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
