No. 2: Richard Sherman
Surprise! Surprise!
OK, not really. But given the relatively short rivalry of the Jim Harbaugh-led 49ers and the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks, cornerback Richard Sherman has overachieved in creating utter disdain and hatred from all 49er fans.
San Francisco 49ers
And it’s not all about Sherman’s productivity against the team, although his tipped-ball defense against former 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the 2014 NFC Championship game and his interceptions against Colin Kaepernick in 2014 have driven a stake into the hearts of 49er fans on too many occasions.
Sports fans in general took to social media to bash Sherman for his lack of sportsmanship following that game-saving tip of Kaepernick’s pass, and with his seeming inability to let go of the Super Bowl interception QB Russell Wilson threw on Seattle’s last play against the New England Patriots and Sherman’s image can’t be much worse.
Sherman and the Seahawks held a bitter rivalry with the 49ers and former head coach Jim Harbaugh that reached it’s apex during the four years Harbaugh coached San Francisco.
Harbaugh coached Sherman at Stanford and did not draft Sherman during the 2011 NFL Draft — a perceived point of contention for Sherman.
Add to that fact Carroll and Harbaugh had a rivalry going back to their Pac-10 days, and the loathing is real.
With the 49ers currently rebuilding following Harbaugh’s departure, the rivalry has taken a bit of a hit. But with the fact that they are a division rival, and Sherman and the Seahawks still carrying an arrogance that permeates throughout the organization, the hatred for Sherman and the Seahawks should continue on for the foreseeable future.