Sherman vindicated after All-Pro honor alongside Kittle, Buckner
SANTA CLARA >> Richard Sherman took his All-Pro honor announced Friday as a chance to call out his doubters. George Kittle and DeForest Buckner, also named among the league’s best, shared his sense of triumph, but without the extra salt.
Kittle was the only one who made The Associated Press’ first team All-Pro list, beating out Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Sherman and Buckner were second-team All-Pro, at cornerback and defensive tackle, respectively.
Each player echoed the other, thanking teammates for helping their cases, and viewing this league-wide acknowledgment as a just reward for their hard work.
Sherman took it further, to no surprise, and celebrated his fifth All-Pro honors as the perfect rebuttal to critics who questioned the contract he selfnegotiated in 2018 to join the 49ers — it included a
$2 million All-Pro clause. “I hope it motivates players to be more accountable for themselves and believe in themselves,” Sherman said.
Kittle’s honor comes after making the second team last year with a breakout season.
“Definitely means you have a lot of respect around the league, which is incredible,” he said. “All I try to do is go out there every single Sunday and put good football on tape for people to see.
“I’m just honored to be voted that, and I’m excited to play more football.”
The top-seeded 49ers (13-3) open their postseason next Saturday, Jan. 11, at Levi’s Stadium. Their opponent will be decided in Sunday’s NFC wild-card round. It will be the No. 6 Minnesota Vikings if they win at No. 3 New Orleans Saints, otherwise the 49ers will face the winner between the No. 4 Philadelphia Eagles and No. 5 Seattle Seahawks.
• What does being a five-time All-Pro mean to Sherman? A lot. In the legacy sense, he noted this will reflect properly on his career when Pro Football Hall of Fame voters and others consider his impact on what’s been a topnotch nine-year career.
In the comeback sense, Sherman noted how it’s “even more special” after recovering from an Achilles tear that could have derailed his career as it has others.
And, last but certainly not least, Sherman basked in how the All-Pro honor triggered a $2 million incentive in the contract he negotiated himself with the 49ers. Sherman fired back on Twitter at critics who previously mocked his self-representation in that three-year deal, and he noted at his locker that he saved close to $400,000 this year not having an agent.
“It’s all about having confidence in yourself and understanding what you’re capabilities are,” Sherman said. “I wouldn’t tell my son, ‘Don’t believe in yourself. It may not work out how you plan.’ No, believe it’s going to work out how you plan and work hard toward that goal. I’m not scared of work. That’s a work ethic I got from my pops.”
Sherman previously made AP All-Pro in 2012-14 (first team) and in 2015 (second team). He received another honor Friday: the Garry Niver Award, given by the Professional Football Writers of America’s San Francisco chapter for his professionalism and cooperation with the media.
• Nose tackle Earl Mitchell was “content” with retirement until the 49ers came calling for his return.
One of the 49ers’ veteran leaders the previous two seasons, Mitchell got cut from the Seattle Seahawks after this past exhibition season. After working out for the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, he opted to announce his retirement and stop fielding calls from prospective suitors — other than last week’s from 49ers general manager John Lynch.
“I was here when we were really working our way up. It’s nice to really see the hard work these guys have been putting in and just be a part of something special,” Mitchell said.
Two practices into his return, Mitchell said the 49ers defensive line is “completely different” from his previous tenure “in a way where it’s just more of an attack. You guys see the difference. This system is proven.”
•Not since their 2012 team’s Super Bowl season have the 49ers had wild-card weekend off – and still been alive in the playoffs.
Kittle’s plans: “It’s hard to watch football and not scout guys. I usually just watch tight ends, though, because I like watching how guys work against other teams. So I’m really looking forward to watching those tight ends.”
• Quarterback C.J. Beathard returned to practice after being away nearly two weeks since his brother Clay’s Dec. 21 killing in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Defensive end Dee Ford worked out on a side field and showed encouraging signs of a likely playoff return from a hamstring injury, which dates to Nov.
17.
• Linebacker Kwon Alexander (pectoral) and strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) continue to participate in no-contact jerseys.
• The 49ers practiced under partly sunny skies and 61-degree temperatures. That likely won’t be the case next Saturday, with a 40% chance of rain forecast.