We love the NFL Draft, don’t we?
The 40 times, the collegiate statistics, the Wonderlic— the draft represents the undying dream for every couch potato in America to feel like a general manager for one day a year (now a weekend). Each spring, name after name is called, and despite the fact the average football fan can only identify about 10% of the 260 some odd players selected, people keep showing up in droves and watching in prime time. Mock draft websites somehow thrive every year, regardless of how ridiculous that entire process might be. They even made a movie about it the draft.
We love rankings. We love lists. We love the construction of a team. We love the dance.
And even with all of the empirical evidence one could ever ask for at hand, the highest paid football talent evaluators money can buy miss on players all the time. The draft is inexact science that never ceases to get about half the league fired every half decade, primarily because football is often more about the stuff between your ears and what’s pumping inside your chest, rather than how well you perform in shorts with no defense. A simplified word for this: intangibles, of which Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider has become proficient at locating.
You can build a team in any number of ways, but without leadership — arguably the most significant intangible — your team won’t get far. Like water bending around each contour of a prehistoric river, leadership can take on an endless number of forms, while consistently rushing towards the same direction. As we approach Super Bowl XLIX, the spirit of the the defending champion Seahawks, who seek to become the first repeat champs since their counterpart New England Patriots 10 years ago, is embodied by three Black men that are extremely different from one another. The path these men took to this point are equally unique, yet their teammates manage to respond positively to each of these individuals, resulting in the trio serving as the catalysts for championship-caliber football.
Sherm couldn’t talk much with that mask, so he danced instead.
The Vocal Leader
Brash, intelligent, fearless; you don’t have to know football to know Richard Sherman. The All-Pro defensive back has led the NFL in interceptions since entering the league as a fifth round pick in 2011 (one of Schneider’s first lottery tickets). Sherman’s play seems to be exceeded only by his boisterous personality, which is far more colorful than the uniform he dons.
Beyond being the leader of the “Legion of Boom” unit which leads what could be one of the great defenses in NFL history, Sherman speaks…frequently…for whatever he feels strongly about. In the past, you may have heard Sherm speak on his inadequate adversaries on the football field, or his disdain for certain members of the sports media or the media in general. But the assumed loudmouth-ed-ness doesn’t come without insight— Richard Sherman graduated from Stanford University with a degree in (of all things) communications.
Don’t let the smooth taste fool you though; Sherman grew up in Compton, California. His pops used to gang bang and at one point received a gunshot wound for his troubles, an experience he used to help stray his son away from that lifestyle. Growing up, Sherman says he witnessed bodies in the streets and prostitution on the corners, but none of this deterred him from becoming salutatorian of his high school class (4.2 GPA). He’s made it one of his life’s missions to change the perceptions the general public has about Compton.
The socially conscious corner also has never been afraid to challenge the perceptions of Black athletes, as well as the inconsistencies within how the NFL is governed. Shortly after arriving in Glendale, AZ for Super Bowl XLIX, Sherman was quick to remark that he didn’t believe the New England Patriots would be penalized for “Deflate Gate” since commissioner Roger Goodell and Patriots Chairman Robert Kraft were photographed together at Kraft’s house last week.
Richard Sherman carries a certain refinement with him into the locker room, and a certain conviction when he exits it. The beautiful blend of intellect and intensity not only breathes life into Seattle’s herculean defense every Sunday, it sets a positive example for aspiring athletes.
Pretty sure Wilson sleeps in a suit.
The Professional Leader
“The separation is in the preparation.”
Is there a better phase you would want your starting quarterback to live by? It’s become commonplace to refer to the quarterback as “the CEO of a football team”— Russell Wilson doesn’t just embody that philosophy, he embraces it.
It makes sense when you think about it. Wilson was a third round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and arrived in Seattle third on the depth chart. After earning the starting job (and the respect of his teammates) in the preseason of his rookie year, Wilson appeared willing to do any and everything to keep the job. Understandable indeed, as Wilson is 5’11” quarterback that hardly anyone gave a shot at succeeding at the NFL level. “Any and everything” includes always saying the right thing, frequently posting Bible scriptures on his twitter account and dressing like this pretty much all the time. Wilson is basically the antithesis of everything Johnny Manziel is in a “CEO” context.
Sidebar: Yes, that picture is of Russ in a suit while sitting courtside at an NBA game. And please check out the draft video. Listen to what Jon Gruden and Todd McShay said about Wilson— pretty spot on analysis. And while you’re at it, notice Seattle’s first two picks in the 2012 draft. No wonder they’re in the Super Bowl again.
Wilson’s professionalism has always set him apart. It’s what allowed him to be a state champion quarterback in high school (and senior class president), a star quarterback and infielder at North Carolina State (he was also drafted by the Colorado Rockies) and what allowed him to transfer to the University of Wisconsin and immediately become team captain. He would lead the Badgers to a Big 10 Championship and a Rose Bowl birth in his lone year at Wisconsin.
Russell leads by example and makes no apologies about how he chooses to approach his work, even if it does rub some the wrong way. There’s been speculation that Wilson’s ultra clean cut approach has not always sat well with teammates. He grew up in a two-parent home (his father — a fringe NFL player — passed away in 2010), his family “well off” compared to many of his teammates, he talks “white” and married a white woman (divorced in 2014). He’s open about his Christian faith and looks mixed, even through both of his parents are Black.
A report came out in 2014 that some Seattle players thought Wilson “wasn’t Black enough“. Though those reports were refuted by members of the Seahawks, the issue of Wilson’s perceived “lack of blackness” was now under a national microscope.
These allegations seemingly rolled off Wilson’s back as easily as he rolls out of the pocket. Never wavering in his approach, Wilson has continued to serve as the picture perfect example of what a “face of the franchise” is supposed to look like— and the Seahawks keep on winning. Wilson is now on the cusp of winning two Super Bowls in his first three seasons in the NFL; he’s done it all with quiet confidence, maturity, work ethic and class.
The Emotional Leader
Not all touchdowns are created equal.
When Marshawn Lynch rumbles through a defense, it leaves an imprint on everybody. The defense is demoralized. The offense is galvanized. The fans are electrified. He is the identity of the Seattle Seahawks smash-mouth offense.
While the opposing defense’s spirit is usually left in shards all over the field, Lynch’s teammates, who swear by his huge heart — and if he’s playing at home, “The 12th Man” — are revitalized unlike like any other team when any other player scores a touchdown. Upon playing in his first career playoff game with the Seahawks in 2011, Lynch ripped off his now famous “Beastquake” run; the eruption from the capacity crowd actually caused a mild earthquake in downtown Seattle. The defending champion New Orleans Saints collective morale was simultaneously shattered .
Marshawn Lynch’s unique connection to the Seattle fans has yielded him many Skittles.
This is what Beastmode does, and that’s pretty much all you need to know about Marshawn Lynch. Oh, and that he’s from Oakland and he ain’t changing for nobody.
Sidebar: Lynch was acquired by Seattle from Buffalo in 2011 for a 2011 4th round draft choice (Chris Hariston — OT) and a 2012 5th rounder (Tank Carder — LB, who never made Bills roster). This is EXACTLY why NFL trades will never make sense to me.
When recently conducing a postgame “interview”, Lynch’s only response to a series of questions was, “I’m thankful.” It was far easier to hear “CoCo” by O.T. Genasis blaring from the speakers in the background that it was to hear any remotely lucid response from Lynch, who has adopted a fairly stern anti-media policy. It isn’t that his incapable of speaking to the press, as some have suggested, but Marshawn’s preference is to keep to himself— a stark contrast to Sherman who cannot wait until a microphone is in front of his face.
Sidebar: Many athletes defend Lynch’s recent defiance towards the media. While it seems logical enough that athletes shouldn’t be forced to talk to the media, it should be understood that the media still plays a vital role in sports and the complicity of professional athletes is still necessary. Lynch’s exploits will only influence other athletes to attempt the same stunt. Inevitably, the leagues and the fans will suffer.
Although Lynch wasn’t the one necessarily the one playing the music (he prefers Lil Boosie), it was the quintessential personification of who he is. Lynch is hood, he’s from the hood and he’s not afraid to tell you about it. It could be why he faced some difficulties adapting to the NFL lifestyle upon being drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Lynch was suspended by the team and was eventually traded in large part due to the “baggage” he seemingly carried with him. Fortunately, tough times don’t last; tough people do. Blessed with the toughness he developed from the hood, Lynch shrugged off these personal issues like an overzealous nickelback upon his arrival in the Pacific Northwest.
Like Richard Sherman, and unlike Russell Wilson, Lynch’s father was caught up in street life, but unlike them both, his father was never a regular part of his life. Football was a refuge from the streets for Marshawn, but those streets made him, and for that, he’s unapologetic. Despite the D-boys, murders and gang culture that ran rampant in his neighborhood, Lynch is determined to give back and make that same community stronger than it’s ever been.
Marshawn Lynch (whom Seattle had better resign this offseason) aka the self-proclaimed man who is “bout that action, boss” is misunderstood on a lot of levels, as is Sherman and Wilson for that matter. However this is a common thread amongst many modern day Black athletes. Sherman’s rise from streets to scholar, Wilson’s pristine polish and Lynch’s rough and tumble background make them very different, but their desire to win and their unique leadership styles have made them cornerstones of a championship team.
Head coach Pete Carroll (and John Schneider) saw this and their recognition resulted it consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Carroll likely sees a lot of himself in his guys, which is a large reason why they’re his guys. Like Sherman, he’s never been one to shy away from controversy. Like Wilson, he was once counted out for being too small. Like Lynch, Carroll has a little bit of dirt on him (see the “NCAA Sanctions” heading on his Wiki page). Maybe this is why it works. Maybe Carroll is the fulcrum that allows for one team to have three distinctly different leaders.
Far be it from me to generalize the perceptions of these three men primarily around race, but it’s really easy for White America to view Lynch as a “thug” and Sherman as a loudmouthed malcontent, or for Black America to view Wilson as an “oreo” or a sellout. The lesson here is that each of these assertions are equally preposterous and leadership comes in various forms. One cannot simply overlook another’s ability to lead simply because it doesn’t fit into their preconceived notion of what a leader should look, act or sound like. Furthermore, this ain’t Boyz N The Hood anymore. It’s 2015 and Grant Hill isn’t the only Black athlete to come from a good family that provided him with a quality education. Black athletes today (like leaders) don’t always fit nicely into our stereotypical narratives. While athletes like who carry themselves like Lynch do exist, there’s also athletes like Wilson and Sherman — openly thoughtful and charming — who attack leadership and celebrity in a conflicting manner. None is any better or worse than the other, but in the case of the Seattle Seahawks, all are necessary.
Leadership: it’s the driving force behind America’s love affair with players like Tom Brady, Tim Tebow and even Johnny Manziel (the lack thereof in the latter). The defending Super Bowl champions are blessed with a totally unique reservoir of it which enables them to do, in some cases, the improbable, like we saw in the NFC Championship Game. Beastmode’s toughness, Sherman’s swag and Wilson’s regal essence brings it altogether.
You can’t measure leadership at the draft, but you know it when you see it and no championship team is short on it. Sometimes, you just need to look a little harder.