San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman doesn't care about his critics. He's been doubted before so going into last season coming off an Achilles injury was no different.
Sherman started 14 games last year, his first with the 49ers, despite playing through pain most of the season. Even slightly hobbled, he was still the team's best and most consistent defensive back.
New defensive backs coach Joe Woods said he noticed Sherman limping and dragging his leg while trying to cover some of the best athletes in the world. Yet, while reviewing last season's film, he also noticed Sherman was holding his own.
"He feels better now because he is healthier," Woods told reporters last week. "He knew last year he wasn't, and you can obviously see that on tape. I feel like he'll be more the Richard Sherman that you guys are used to seeing this season."
Sherman was among the 49ers' defensive stars on the stage Wednesday night for the team's annual State of the Franchise event. He was asked about dealing with criticism and his motivation as an NFL player.
"It's not them I'm trying to prove anything to," Sherman said. "At the end of the day, you've got to prove something to the man in the mirror. You're competing with yourself. You're competing with a legacy. I'm competing to prove (myself to) my son. I want to impress him. I want him to say, 'Man dad, you looked good today.'
"I don't really give a damn what anybody else says because at the end of the day, if I gave a damn about that, then I would have been hurt to begin with. They're saying this kid doesn't deserve to be drafted. He's a backup player. I'm a four-time All-Pro (three-time first-team, one-time second-team) at the end of the day, so if that really matters to me, where would I be?
"So I look forward to just continuing to grow, and to continue to play at a high level, and to help my team win."