NFL star remorseful
Police say he crashed car at high speed and tried to break into home of in-laws
Richard Sherman regrets events surrounding arrest, pleads not guilty
SEATTLE — Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers star Richard Sherman said Friday that he is “deeply remorseful” following his arrest on accusations of drunkenly crashing his SUV in a construction zone and trying to break in to his in-laws’ suburban Seattle home this week.
Sherman tweeted a statement before appearing in court and pleading not guilty to drunken driving, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and other charges.
“I behaved in a manner I am not proud of,” Sherman said. “I have been dealing with some personal challenges over the last several months, but that is not an excuse for how I acted. The importance of mental and emotional health is extremely real and I vow to get the help I need.”
Sherman, 33, who was released from jail Thursday, was arraigned on five criminal charges that also include reckless endangerment of road workers and malicious mischief. They are all misdemeanors, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, or gross misdemeanors, punishable
by up to one year.
Sherman was belligerent, had been drinking heavily and spoke of killing himself when he left his home in the Seattle suburb of Maple
Valley late Tuesday, according to police. His wife, Ashley Sherman, called 911.
Police said he crashed his car in a construction zone early Wednesday along a busy highway east of Seattle and then tried to break in to his in-laws’ home in the suburb of Redmond. Workers said the driver entered the closed construction zone at 60 to 70 mph (97 to 113 kph) and sped off after being confronted, shooting sparks from a wheel, then abandoned the disabled vehicle.
Sherman’s father-in-law, Raymond Moss, told officers that he armed himself with a handgun and fired pepperspray at the NFL cornerback to protect his family as Sherman tried to bust in the door of Moss’ home.
Another of Moss’ daughters pleaded with a 911 operator for officers to arrive quickly and told her children to hide in a bathroom behind a shower curtain, according to audio of the call released Thursday.
“The family began to yell in fear,” Raymond Moss told police. “I used pepper spray on Sherman’s face through the partially opened door as he was still banging and attempting to gain entry. I told him to stop. I armed myself with my handgun at this time fearing for the safety of myself and my family.”
Ashley Sherman told police her husband had been on anti-depressants and was receiving mental health counseling.
The arrest was Sherman’s first known involvement with the criminal justice system. In his statement, he thanked community members and his family for supporting him.