Was Richard Sherman so wrong?

My first reaction to Richard Sherman's expletive-filled, live-televised rant? I doubled over laughing. Unlike most of America, instead of gaping in outrage, taking offense, or freaking out, I was rolling on the ground in uncontrollable laughter. It was funny! Even though I, and I suspect most teenagers, were laughing, I knew that American society might not perceive it as well.
Basically, the game ended after a TD pass intended for Michael Crabtree was batted by Sherman into the hands of waiting linebacker Malcolm Smith. Sherman proceeded to make the choke sign at Crabtree (for which he was penalized, though it didn't matter of course), and in his post-game interview with Erin Andrews, categorized himself as the best corner in the league, trashed Crabtree, and used a decent amount of expletives in the process. After, Twitter erupted-everyone who was anyone seemed to have an opinion. When Crabtree himself tweeted, criticizing Sherman, Sherman responded with "A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of a sheep". The majority of people shamed him for having no discipline and/or sportsmanship, while a couple praised his passion. Whatever the stance, one thing was certain: everyone knew about Richard Sherman.
Had Sherman not made these comments, what would have been thought of his game-clinching play? No doubt it would have been praised, but perhaps only football experts would understand Sherman's impact, while the majority of people would focus on the man who made the interception, or perhaps Kaepernick's throw. By drawing so much attention to himself, Sherman's play was recognized for what it was. Sherman did not just talk the talk, he walked the walk. Had Sherman not made the play, and still made the comments, I would have a problem. Fortunately, that's not the case. Sherman's getting plenty of attention for his fantastic play, that likely would have been absent in the event of his not commenting.
Richard Sherman is undoubtedly one of the better cornerbacks in the league, as most know. By declaring himself the best, obviously, he has opened himself to criticism. But would a dialogue on his being the best even exist had he not called himself out? Discussion of his prominence would be nowhere near as wide-open as it is now: sure his play would warrant some consideration, but likely, there would not have been discussion as to his being the best CB in the league. Similar to when Eli Manning and Joe Flacco called themselves elite, the conversation had a platform with which to be discussed on. Had any of these men, Sherman included, not made the comments they did, there likely would not be a conversation. Interestingly enough, the times in which these quarterbacks called themselves elite was the offseason before each man won the Super Bowl. Coincidence? Maybe, but perhaps the existence of a discussion on each man's eliteness propelled them to win it all.
Establishing the above, and accepting the fact that Sherman backed up his words with stellar play, can we excuse his alleged poor sportsmanship and expletive use, on live television? Maybe not, but the passion Sherman exhibited cannot be denied. Put yourself in Sherman's shoes-you've just made the game-winning play against a receiver who's considered to be one of the best, and now your team is going to the Super Bowl, the most coveted spot in perhaps all of sports, but most definitely in football, your line of work. I know I would be so charged up, I'd probably curse Crabtree out myself, maybe even on live TV. Sherman was so hyped up, I'm surprised he didn't call himself the best linebacker, hell, the best quarterback, in the league as well. The palpable passion Sherman exuded may have been a bit too extravagant, considering the circumstances, but can we really deny him the chance to celebrate? Critics of Sherman argue that maybe he was passionate, but on account of the impact his words have, due to the nature of where he works and its large amounts of viewers, he should know better than to express his passion in such an 'inappropriate' way, where he knew a large audience would receive it. These people have a point, but when one is so pumped up and passionate, is it reasonable to expect him to contain himself?
Maybe the blame falls on American society itself. We are so afraid of our words or actions being taken the wrong way, being judged, that we have evolved into a hyper-politically correct society. In a country where people have to constantly watch what they say, it's hard. We all slip up. Why should a professional athlete be any different? We expect those with impact to set a good example, and that good example means conforming to a society that stems from intense and necessary neutrality. Maybe we expect too much, especially in the face of passion. What Sherman said was just an extension of the immense fervor and enthusiasm he felt. Isn't that why we love sports? Watching people lay it all on the line for the good of their team, and mirroring their passion with our own? Watching football is about gritting your teeth, tensing up, and watching behind clenched fingers. Loving football is about the overflowing excitement and joy of seeing the people you back come out on top. Sherman? He was just loving football, the reason we pay attention to people like Sherman in the first place: because we love it.
At the end of the day, was Sherman so wrong? If he wants to enjoy his game-saving play, so be it. Who are we to let our politically correct society keep him from it? We are criticizing a man who graduated from Stanford with a degree in communication, is currently working on his master's, writes a column for Sports Illustrated, and in football circles is considered to be one of the most intelligent guys around. He is not stupid, or naive. If Sherman could go back and choose to change his actions, would he? He is currently the most-talked about athlete (if not person, thanks to Justin Bieber) in the nation, has opened a dialogue on his being the best cornerback in the league, and is now playing in the Super Bowl. I know I wouldn't. So maybe, just maybe, he's not so bad after all.