LETTERS: Just another sorry, mediocre, average week in the NFL Richard Sherman, songwriter: "It's a Small World, After All." Richard Sherman, defensive back: "It's a Gall World, All About Me." Dave Sanderson La Cañada As a lifelong fan of both sports and dignified humility, I resent being labeled as hypocritical [Bill Plaschke, Jan. 21] because I thought Richard Sherman's it's-all-about-me sideline spewing was pathetic. The majority of true fans want to see quality plays made by athletes with class and respect for the game and its traditions. Today's culture of trash-talking is just that ... trash. Bob Cunningham Riverside As Richard Sherman bounded off the field and had a microphone stuck in his face, he said exactly what he was feeling at that moment. I watched with mouth agape. When he was done, I jumped up and yelled, "Yes! Finally one of these guys gives us a taste of what really goes on down on the field! Good for him! Sure, it was crude. But that's what the game is. I am so sick of world-class athletes having to cover up their emotions all the time. A guy hits a towering home run and then looks glumly at the ground as he circles the bases, acting as if he couldn't care less. Inside, you know he wants to jump up and down and celebrate. But he knows that if he does, everyone will criticize him as a show-off. Tell you what: All those fans who criticize Sherman should get down on the field and take a hit or two from an NFL player. See if you can hack it. Try to catch an NFL pass. Better yet, try to knock one away like Sherman did. If you can handle it, you can criticize him. Otherwise, shut up. Crista Worthy Boise, Idaho So Richard Sherman refers to Michael Crabtree as a sorry receiver and calls him mediocre. And everybody freaks out. Sherman didn't curse at Crabtree or talk about his family. No, this is the Super Bowl and the media always needs an angle and Sherman dropped it right in their lap. Last week it was Brady versus Manning, now it will be Manning and his receivers against the Seattle defense spearheaded by Sherman - the perfect hero-versus-villain scenario. And there's an added bonus too. We won't have to listen to the incessant weather reports all week! Rodney K. Boswell Thousand Oaks Super stuff