Niner Noise exclusive interview with 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman
By Peter Panacy
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman sat down with Niner Noise to talk his partnership with BodyArmor, the debut of their product SportWater as well as the upcoming 2018 season.
Four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman is going to play a significant role with the San Francisco 49ers this season.
The seven-year veteran brings more than just a presence on the field. His experience and understanding of playing at the highest level will do wonders to a young crop of Niners defensive backs, who’ll need to take every advantage of learning the details of the game from one of the best in the league.
On behalf of BodyArmor, which is promoting its new SportWater product, Sherman was kind enough to sit down with Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy to discuss his partnership with the company and preview what’s on tap for the upcoming season.
Be sure to check out BodyArmor’s SportWater promo video below:
And if you’d rather listen to the interview, just click below:
NN: On behalf of everybody here at Niner Noise, I’d like to welcome you and thank you for coming aboard and spending some time with us. Before we dive into what’s coming up for the upcoming season, I’d like to hear more about your partnership with BodyArmor and SportWater. Give me a bit of a rundown on what you’re doing with them and what they mean to you.
"RS: Well, I’ve been with BodyArmor for about four years now, and the brand itself has grown exponentially. In the sports-drink industry, there’s been a need for a more unique and natural sports drink. Something with a different flavor, normal water with electrolytes. Something that appeals to a different crowd."
NN: Say someone like me, the recreational weekday softball player… someone who needs a little bit of a kick, some hydration help, how would that help benefit someone like myself?
"RS: Well, it just depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re not watching your weight and not worried about the calories, we have calorie drinks that still hydrate you like coconut water, major ingredients that increase your body’s hydration. Increases calcium. It allows your muscles to be replenished at an exponentially faster rate. And then we have normal water with electrolytes in it.It helps to understand what electrolytes do for your body."
NN: Where can one go about fining SportWater?
"RS: They can find BodyArmor just about anywhere these days. We’ve grown exponentially. We’re in Walmart, we’re in Target. A lot of Safeways are carrying them more, we’ve seen some in 7-11. There’s an exclusive holder of the [inaudible] orange flavor, which is going to be the newest infused flavor. So you can find it just about anywhere. I’m sure there are other stores — I’m a West Coast guy — so I can figure Kroger, things like that."
San Francisco 49ers
NN: Before I jump into your role and expectations with the 49ers this season, I wanted to commend you for representing yourself for contract negotiations. For more of the layman’s terms, walk me through the process of how you prepared yourself for the contract talks you went through not so long ago.
"RS: I studied the CBA, I studied contracts that were similar… contracts of guys with similar accolades."
NN: So you’re coming aboard, and immediately you’re sort of the mentor to a lot of these young defensive backs joining the 49ers.
How do you see yourself in that mentor role, and how are you going to go about teaching these younger player to play at an All-Pro level — to give them the advice, the skill set you played with — what do you do to go about that?
"RS: Well, I can’t give them anything. It takes work, diligence and dedication.I’ll give them tools that I have, the information and knowledge that I’ve received over the years. I can help anytime they want after practice or anytime during practice."
NN: Being older now, how does Richard Sherman take care of his body compared to when he first broke into the league? Especially considering what BodyArmor does, how do you condition yourself for all the challenges you’ll face this year and beyond?
"RS: I’m going to continue to eat right. There are a couple of things you can do, there’s oxygen chambers, there’s just a lot of things you’ll want to do on a daily basis to help your body regenerate and prep."
NN: How surreal is it going to be heading back up to Seattle when the 49ers head up there in December? Any matchups you’re looking forward to? Is there going to be something that jumps out at you like, “I’m really looking forward to this,” or is it going to just be a surreal moment for you?
"RS: It’s just going to be another day in the neighborhood. I feel at home at both stadiums. It won’t feel much different than any.I’ll go up there and put on a show."
NN: We’ll be looking forward to it. I know a lot of us are talking about that game being something that’s pretty exciting, but I can see it being just another week to win.
"RS: Yeah, it’s going to be just another week. We don’t play them until late in the season, so I won’t worry about that for a while. But when it comes, it will be another opponent we’re trying to beat."
NN: I know we’ve got some pretty high expectations for the 49ers this season. But before I let you go, I’ve got to ask you, four teams left in the NBA playoffs… who you got and why?
"RS: I’m a Lakers fan, but I guess I’m in the Bay and I’m friends with K.D. (Kevin Durant), so I’ve got to go with those guys (Golden State Warriors) as the early favorites. I’m happy for the Celtics and what those young guys have been able to accomplish and it would be nice to see them make the final game."
Niner Noise extends its deep appreciation to Richard for taking time after practice to talk all things BodyArmor, his own physical conditioning and what’s coming up for the 2018 season.
And extra special thanks to BodyArmor for putting this all together.
Next: Niner Noise exclusive interview with 49ers' Solomon Thomas
For more information on BodyArmor, SportWater and all of their line of products, be sure to head over to drinkbodyarmor.com or just pick up a bottle in one of the many local retailers near you.