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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most memorable plays of the decade

By Timmy Gibson

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 14: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass from the pocket in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 14: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass from the pocket in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Richard Sherman, Michael Crabtree, Seahawks, 49ers
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks with wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Richard Sherman’s Tip Drill versus Michael Crabtree

This is another one I’m sure has all of you at home groaning right now: then-Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman on wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the 2013 NFC Championship game.

This led to one of the most iconic postgame interviews ever. The Niners were making a late surge to attempt a comeback on the Seahawks for rights to advance to the Super Bowl. But Sherman ended that with one of the most impressive cornerback plays ever.

It’s a tough watch, but here it is:

In case watching that made all of you mad at Sherman, who now leads the 49ers defense, keep watching the video. You can see Sherman run up to Crabtree to congratulate him on a great game, and Crabtree shoves him out of the way.

This provoked Sherman into his famous postgame speech.

That puts Sherman in a much more positive light, and makes it much easier to root for him now that he is on the Niners. He still is one of the best corners in the game, but now he does it for the Niners instead of against them.

I feel the need to point out there was obviously pass interference on that play. I will fight that battle until I die, for this and a few other plays, but more on that later.