Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest villains in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

1 Nov 1998: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
1 Nov 1998: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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SEATTLE, WA – JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts on the sideline after tipping a pass which led to a Seahawks game-clinching interception late in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts on the sideline after tipping a pass which led to a Seahawks game-clinching interception late in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks

The Niners and Seahawks’ rivalry was pretty heated in the early 2010s with, unfortunately, Seattle getting the better end of the deal.

Particularly in the 2014 NFC Championship game, where fans recall then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s last-second fade pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the end zone deflected by one, cornerback Richard Sherman, into the hands of Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith.

That sealed Seattle’s 23-17 victory, and they went on to dominate the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVII.

Yet the story of the conference championship didn’t end right at that moment. No, Sherman went over to Crabtree to shake his hand. And no 49ers fan to this day would say it was a gesture of sportsmanship. Crabtree shoved Sherman away, prompting one of the most epic outbursts in NFL history:

Sherman’s outburst was just one of a number of moments that drew the ire from Niners fans everywhere, but this one clearly stands out above all the rest.

Perhaps it was because of the game’s crucial moment. Or, just as likely, the nature by which Sherman mocked Crabtree.

The ironic thing now is Sherman is part of the 49ers, following the Seahawks releasing him during the 2018 offseason. And even though the Niners were adding a three-time All-Pro to the fold, it took a lot of San Francisco fans some time getting used to the idea Sherman had traded in Seahawks blue for the red and gold.

Getting used to embracing a villain can take a while.