Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers defenseman Richard Sherman, who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 season, pleaded guilty Monday morning in Seattle to two misdemeanor charges stemming from his July arrest.
Sherman pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to first-degree negligent driving and second-degree criminal trespass (non-domestic violence), and to a traffic violation for speeding in a road construction zone.
He was arrested on July 14 after police said he drove his SUV into a closed construction area, sustaining significant damage, and fled the scene of the accident. Sherman then attempted to break down the front door of his in-laws’ home, which was caught by the surveillance system of a residence in Redmond, Washington.
According to police reports, Sherman drank heavily and talked about suicide. His wife Ashley Sherman called 911 to try and stop him before the crash on Highway 520.
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Sherman pleaded guilty as part of an agreement that exempts him from further jail time. He was sentenced to 90 days in prison with an 88-day suspended sentence and two days of credit already served. He was ordered to pay $825.50 in fees and fines to the clerk of the court and $500 for speeding in a construction zone. He must also pay restitution to his father-in-law, the amount of which will be determined later, and to the Ministry of Transport. He will be under medical supervision for two years.
Sherman was initially charged with other misdemeanor charges, including two counts of domestic violence—second-degree trespassing and third-degree malicious mischief—as well as drunk driving, recklessly endangering road workers, and resisting arrest.
Sherman signed with the Buccaneers in September to a one-year contract after the team suffered a series of injuries at cornerback, but he himself suffered injuries, including a hamstring and calf injury, and an Achilles injury that ended his season. However, he remained on the team, serving as a pseudo-coach with the Bucks defensemen until they were eliminated from the playoffs in the divisional round. He was affectionately referred to as “Coach Sherm” by teammates, and his leadership qualities were praised by the coaching staff.
“[The arrest] led to some really positive changes — some help, some treatments, some tools that I didn’t have before — to do some things that you kind of let accumulate in your mind,” Sherman said in September. “You never had time to turn to them. This is not the right moment. This is not the right place in your life to deal with these emotions and feelings.”
The report used information from the Associated Press.