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Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - BostonCard - 04-16-2015

Don't forget about the effect of Richard Sherman on current recruits.  Unlike current recruits, he came to Stanford during the depths of despair.  However, his success in the NFL has made him very valuable for us.  The fact that he came from a disadvantaged background, his brashness, the fact that a lot of recruits can identify with him, that really helps us, probably much more so than our other "prodigal son", Andrew Luck.  As much as I absolutely love Andrew Luck, he doesn't break the stereotypes of Stanford the way that Sherman does.

BC

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - Nan3cy - 04-16-2015

Not sure I'd consider Richard Sherman has having come from a disadvantaged background (although his high school certainly doesn't have an upper-crust reputation). But he came from a two-parent household where both parents worked and clearly had an interest in their kids' education. And when that's the case, no matter what high school you go to, you definitely have an important piece of the puzzle going for you.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - CornFed - 04-16-2015

(04-16-2015, 02:13 PM)Nan3cy link Wrote:Not sure I'd consider Richard Sherman has having come from a disadvantaged background (although his high school certainly doesn't have an upper-crust reputation). But he came from a two-parent household where both parents worked and clearly had an interest in their kids' education. And when that's the case, no matter what high school you go to, you definitely have an important piece of the puzzle going for you.

Where are the "up arrows" when you need them?

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - BostonCard - 04-16-2015

Basically the entire school is comprised of minorities (84% Hispanic, 14% Black).  93% of the students at Compton Dominguez are in the free or reduced lunch program.  28% are English learners.  It is rated a 2/10 by Great Schools, and has a California API score of 613 (the score ranges 0 - 1000; 800 or better is considered the state goal).  The graduation rate is under 50%. 

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/6459

Obviously having a two parent family who stressed education was key to Sherman's success, and you are right, that was critical to overcoming the limitations of his school.  But that still left Sherman with a lot to overcome.  I think by almost any conventional measure of the term "disadvantaged", Sherman fits the bill.

BC

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - CornFed - 04-16-2015

I have come around 180 degrees on Sherman.  My own cultural heritage does not understand his calling out Crabtree and his famous rant after the NFL Championship.  The posters on this board, however, provided tremendous perspective and I learned a great deal more about him.

I've become increasingly impressed since that time.  There is absolutely no doubting that he has had a very significant impact on our recruiting and on young people from disadvantaged circumstances generally.  If the thrust of all the forces enumerated on this thread is to create a new window that enables young men around the country to envision a real pathway to a Stanford experience, then our football recruiting "model" is simply awesome.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - CrazedZooChimp - 04-16-2015

(04-16-2015, 02:36 PM)Boston Card link Wrote:Basically the entire school is comprised of minorities (84% Hispanic, 14% Black).  93% of the students at Compton Dominguez are in the free or reduced lunch program.  28% are English learners.  It is rated a 2/10 by Great Schools, and has a California API score of 613 (the score ranges 0 - 1000; 800 or better is considered the state goal).  The graduation rate is under 50%. 

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/6459

Obviously having a two parent family who stressed education was key to Sherman's success, and you are right, that was critical to overcoming the limitations of his school.  But that still left Sherman with a lot to overcome.  I think by almost any conventional measure of the term "disadvantaged", Sherman fits the bill.

BC

Yeah, I would guess compared to the average Stanford student, that rates as pretty damn disadvantaged.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - ThePassionOfTheChryst - 04-16-2015

I dislike Sherman's WWE persona and I think his decorum is unprofessional, but I have no reason to think he's a bad person.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - BostonCard - 04-16-2015

(04-16-2015, 03:22 PM)CornFed link Wrote:I have come around 180 degrees on Sherman.  My own cultural heritage does not understand his calling out Crabtree and his famous rant after the NFL Championship.  The posters on this board, however, provided tremendous perspective and I learned a great deal more about him.

I've become increasingly impressed since that time.  There is absolutely no doubting that he has had a very significant impact on our recruiting and on young people from disadvantaged circumstances generally.  If the thrust of all the forces enumerated on this thread is to create a new window that enables young men around the country to envision a real pathway to a Stanford experience, then our football recruiting "model" is simply awesome.

Sherman's post-game behavior and lack of sportsmanship were not his best moment.  But he deserves to be judged based on the totally of his actions as a player and role model, and on that basis, he is unquestionably a good thing for the sport (and for Stanford). Arguably, his brash on-field persona make him an even better role model in that young players can relate to him, and will listen when he imparts his message about the importance of staying in school and getting good grades.  I love Andrew Luck and everything he stands for, but I think kids identify with Sherman much more naturally than with Luck, and Sherman is using that to do good.

BC

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - CornFed - 04-16-2015

I have experienced similar moments that, while not at the level of achievement he had just realized, were equally emotional for me.  At no point did it, or would it, occur to me to denigrate my vanquished opponent.  It would have sat better with me if all he had said was, "F**k YES!!!".

Having said that, my son does not see it that way at all.  Stanford football grew quite significantly in his estimation because he had never thought we were capable of being so BAD ASS!  His age group reacts completely differently to that and I'm sure Sherman's cultural background confirms that competitive response. 

I've gotten over my initial reaction in terms of how it affected my sense of Richard Sherman and who he is.  But that is just because I have had the opportunity to learn what an interesting and complex and admirable individual he is.  I think I would react identically to someone else ranting in that manner.  I don't like it.  I will never get used to it.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - PrinceLightfoot - 04-17-2015

(04-16-2015, 10:16 PM)CornFed link Wrote:I have experienced similar moments that, while not at the level of achievement he had just realized, were equally emotional for me.  At no point did it, or would it, occur to me to denigrate my vanquished opponent.

People are forgetting the context of his trash talking in the divisional championship game. It was more than just the emotion of making a play that sent one's team to the superbowl. He was slighted by Crabtree early that year off the field at a charity event. Sherman was finishing something that Crabtree started. Is it gracious? No, but it isn't purely the jerk thug tag that many tried to place on him after the interview.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24414782/report-michael-crabree-tried-to-fight-richard-sherman-at-charity-event

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - JohnR34231 - 04-17-2015

Just a suggestion, but if we are going to have an extended discussion about Richard Sherman, why don't we move it to another thread.

Re: Richard Sherman and recruits, etc. - CornFed - 04-17-2015

To attempt to follow JPRI's suggestion and to wrap up the Richard Sherman discussion (at least for me) in the spirit of the overall thread, he has enhanced Stanford's brand in a fairly new and distinctive way.