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RENTON, Wash. -- Richard Sherman wondered if he came to the NFL 20 years too late. The Seattle Seahawks All-Pro cornerback wondered if his swagger might have fit better a few decades earlier when that confidence and an unfiltered tongue was perhaps more accepted. "I studied the old school game more than I studied the new school game, and I play it that way. It rubs a lot of people the wrong way," Sherman said Wednesday. "Giving a true speech after a game, a true passionate speech is old school football. Playing press corner and sitting up there every play is old school football. I guess maybe I just havent adjusted to the times." Sherman spoke at length for the first time since Sundays NFC championship game win over San Francisco where his postgame comments to Fox reporter Erin Andrews became the talking point. It was a loud, emotional moment that happened just a few minutes after the Seahawks earned the second Super Bowl berth in franchise history. Sherman was at the centre of the decisive play, deflecting a pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the end zone and watching teammate Malcolm Smith run over to intercept it to clinch the victory. Shermans ensuing remarks were directed mostly at Crabtree but his intense, shouting delivery is what took people aback. Sherman said the reaction that followed over the next two days left him a little stunned as well. "I was surprised by it. Because were talking about football here and a lot of people took it a little bit further than football." Sherman said. "I guess some people showed how far we have really come in this day and age and it was kind of profound what happened and peoples opinions of that nature, because I was on a football field showing passion. Maybe it was misdirected, maybe things may have been immature, maybe things could have been worded better but this is on a football field. I didnt commit any crimes, I wasnt doing anything illegal. I was showing passion after a football game." Sherman apologized for taking away the spotlight from the performances by some of his teammates. Marshawn Lynchs 109 yards rushing and 40-yard touchdown, Jermaine Kearses 35-yard touchdown catch on fourth-down and Bobby Wagners 15 tackles all became secondary to Shermans words. What seemed to bother Sherman the most in the fallout was hearing the word "thug" attached to his name. "The only reason it bothers me is it seems like its an accepted way of calling someone the N-word nowadays. Its like everybody else said the N-word and they said thug and theyre like, thats fine," Sherman said. "Thats where it kind of takes me aback. Its kind of disappointing because they know. What is the definition of a thug, really?" Sherman then referenced seeing highlights of the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames playing on Saturday when a fight broke out two seconds into the game. "They didnt even play hockey. They just threw their sticks aside and started fighting," he said. "I saw that and said, Oh, man, Im the thug? Whats going on here. Geez. Im really disappointed in being called a thug." While theres been criticism for his rant, hes also received support. Perhaps most surprising was a tweet from baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. Not a huge user of social media — Aaron had sent seven tweets before Tuesday — his message to Sherman read, "hang in there & keep playing as well as you did Sunday. Excellent job - you have my support." Sherman was peppered with questions for more than 20 minutes Wednesday. Teammate Russell Wilson was also asked about the fallout. He said it hasnt been a distraction as the Seahawks begin preparing for Denver. Sherman also didnt like hearing that some have labeled the team villainous. "Anytime you label Russell Wilson a villain it has to be a joke," he said. Sherman said he has not reached out to Crabtree. Sherman attempted to shake Crabtrees hand following the interception only to get shoved in the face. Even after his on-field interview, Sherman continued to deride Crabtree in his postgame media session, calling the receiver "mediocre" and later saying their problems dated to an incident during an off-season event in Arizona. Sherman said he doesnt regret the choke sign he directed at San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a gesture that drew a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. "No man, its Reggie Miller," Sherman said. "Its Reggie Miller. Its rivalries, right?" China College Basketball Jerseys . A 23-year-old rookie, Stroman is 4-2 with a 3.44 earned run average in 12 games this season, the past seven of those being starts. He logged the first scoreless outing of his career on Friday versus Oakland in a no-decision. NCAA Basketball Jerseys Authentic . -- Terry Francona likened the atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday to a playoff game in October. http://www.cheapncaabasketballjerseys.com/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. College Basketball Jerseys Store . The 7-foot-1 Hawes, who is in the final year of his contract, is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, and shoots 40 per cent from 3-point range. The 25-year-old Hawes is in his seventh NBA season. Cheap Jerseys From China . An offseason trade acquisition from Kansas City, Greinkes National League debut was delayed by a non-baseball injury in the spring, and he was 0-1 after dropping an 8-0 decision at Atlanta in his initial appearance with the Brewers on May 4.CLEVELAND - Billy Cundiff practiced inside FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, working on his mechanics and hoping to snap out of his recent funk.He wont play there Sunday.The Browns waived the slumping kicker Saturday and replaced him with veteran Garrett Hartley, who will likely kick against the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals.Cundiffs release comes a week after he missed a 40-yarder in a one-point loss to Indianapolis and following two days in which he kicked well in practice before injuring his knee.On Thursday, Browns special teams coach Chris Tabor offered his support of Cundiff, who had missed a kick in each of Clevelands past five games. Tabor gave a glowing report on Cundiffs workout at the downtown stadium.We just got back moments ago, and I thought he kicked the ball as well as Ive ever seen him, Tabor said. There are some other things that sometimes go into it, but if he strikes the ball the rest of the season like he did today, well be in great shape.Cundiff, however, then missed Fridays practice and coach Mike Pettine said thee 34-year-old veteran had injured himself the previous day.ddddddddddddundiff refused to discuss his injury, deferring all questions about his status to Pettine. Although Cundiff had a sleeve on his left leg, the Browns said on their injury report he hurt his right knee.Whatever the case, with three games left, the Browns (7-6) couldnt afford to squander any more scoring chances if they want to make the playoffs.Hartley was one of three kickers the Browns worked out earlier this week. He kicked in 57 games for New Orleans from 2008-13 and made 82 field goals. Hes converted on 81 per cent of his attempts.Cundiff made 22 of 29 field goals in his second season with Cleveland. Last year, he was good on 21 of 26. The Browns signed him as a free agent in 2013 after deciding not to re-sign steady Phil Dawson, who went to San Francisco. Cundiff has also played for Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans and Dallas. He was previously with the Browns in 2009.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '