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Unguarded with Rachel Nichols

Richard Sherman Reflects on Fame, New Football Season; Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy Unlikely Allies off the Green; U.S. Coach Looks Forward to FIBA World Cup

Aired September 05, 2014 - 22:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Tonight on UNGUARDED WITH RACHEL NICHOLS, unfiltered. Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman is back and still speaking his mind.

RICHARD SHERMAN, PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER: I sometimes challenge the norm, the majority. Sometimes you need that to spice things up.

ANNOUNCER: Unmatched. Tiger and Rory, the two biggest names in golf, discuss who is really the face of the sport and let loose on their relationship.

TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: First rivals, I think, but we got to know each other over the last few years and have become pretty good friends.

ANNOUNCER: Undaunted. Even missing the biggest American stars, Coach Mike Krzyzewski feels good about the U.S. team chances at the Basketball World Cup in Spain.

MIKE KRZYZEWSKI, COACH, U.S. TEAM: We would rather not say lose and go home. We would rather say win and go forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RACHEL NICHOLS, HOST: Welcome to UNGUARDED.

Last night in Seattle there were fireworks, rock stars, and finally football, as the NFL opened its season with a dominating performance from the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Of course some fans were hoping for pyrotechnics of a different kind from Seattle's lightning-rod corner, Richard Sherman.

Sherman's exuberant on-field demeanor thrust him into the national spotlight in January. And in the months since, Sherman has become such an interesting and eloquent voice, "TIME" magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

As he sat down to discuss his increasingly incredible life, he showed us why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Action.

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NICHOLS: The title defense has begun. What's your attitude going to be as everyone circles you on their calendar?

SHERMAN: You would think you're always circled on somebody's calendar if you're playing good football. You live up to those expectations and you make sure you don't disappoint people when they come to see you.

NICHOLS: We see you on the field. You are the same Richard Sherman, going after people. But off the field, so much has changed for you. You had that moment, that interview after the NFC championship game, where you burst into everyone's living rooms.

SHERMAN: Well, I'm the best corner in the game. When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the results you're going to get. Don't you ever talk about me.

NICHOLS: Since then, you won a Super Bowl. You've got name checked by the president of the United States.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman is here tonight. And he gave me -- he gave me some great tips on how to handle it. Jake Tapper, don't you ever talk about me like that!

NICHOLS: You got a huge new contract. You're in commercials. I mean, has there been any point over all this time where you looked around and you said, "Wow, this is my life?

SHERMAN: Any time you get to include your teammates on a Madden game, that's pretty cool for all of us. You know, obviously, they gave me the cover. And doing the Campbell's soup mama's boy campaign with my mom was really fun, you know, just to see that side of her.

NICHOLS: You signed a $40 million guaranteed contract. How have things changed for your family? Because last season, your dad was still working as a garbage collector in L.A.

SHERMAN: Just like me, not much has changed. He's still working as a garbage collector. And Mama is still working with mentally and physically disabled kids. Not a lot has changed in that regard.

Obviously, we have a little bit more comfort at home, a few less deals and things like that, but in terms of daily life, man, you know, blue-collar people are blue-collar people. You can't change them. Money doesn't change them.

NICHOLS: You went to the White House to shoot a spot with Michelle Obama to promote healthy eating. And you replayed that famous postgame interview, except Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States, is the one asking you the questions.

MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: Richard, take me through your final play.

SHERMAN: Well, let me tell you. We the best chefs in the game. So when you try us with an easy meal like salmon cakes and succotash, that's the result you're going to get.

Yes. That was -- that was a great time, and that was really, really, really a special time, just being at the White House, meeting Barack and getting a chance to...

NICHOLS: Look at you, "meeting Barack." First name basis with the pres. Whatev.

SHERMAN: It was fun, man. But, you know, I had to talk to Secret Service and make sure I didn't get in trouble. Because they told me to raise my voice. I was like, Secret Service is right there. He doesn't -- he's eyeing me a certain way. Don't yell at her. Just -- things don't add up right here.

NICHOLS: Your mother did not raise you to yell at the first lady of the United States.

SHERMAN: She told me not to. And, you know, I was getting misinformation; and things were counterintuitive.

NICHOLS: You've been everywhere over the past few months. Do you think being able to have more people learn who you are, this guy who can be brash and loud on the field, is also one of the smartest guys in the NFL, that you can be from Compton and go to Stanford? Those things can co-exist?

Do you think you've changed people's perceptions at all, in general, have made them maybe check themselves before they judge a book by its cover too much?

SHERMAN: I think a little bit. I think I've been able to help them disambiguate the situation. You know, just be able to delve a little deeper than they -- they've delved before, you know?

Some people have always looked at surface. You know, they get the ten-second clip, the two-minute clip and say, "Oh, I've got everything I need." And then I think I force people to do their research, to, you know, at least Google. You know, at least spend the time, you know, 20 seconds to Google a name and do things like that. You know, we're more than football players.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NICHOLS: Richard Sherman has certainly made a lot of people rethink their first impression of him. And not just on the football field, but as a young black man who grew up in a gang-ridden area of Los Angeles.

It won't surprise you that Sherman has a lot of opinions on what's been happening in Ferguson, Missouri. He'll share those right after the break. So stick around for that. As well as a very entertaining conversation with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RORY MCILROY, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: I like to think that I bring the best out in him. But no, he -- you know, that's the side of Tiger that I know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NICHOLS: I'm Rachel Nichols, and welcome back to UNGUARDED. We've been talking to Seahawks corner Richard Sherman, who was thrust into widespread debate on racial stereotypes after a controversial post-game interview during last season's NFL playoffs.

These days, Sherman is one of those paying close attention to the developments in Ferguson, Missouri, and the national discussion on how America sees young black men.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hands up!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hands up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hands up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hands up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't shoot!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't shoot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't shoot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't shoot.

NICHOLS: with all the events that happened in Ferguson, Missouri, what did you think as you were watching the news coverage of all that?

SHERMAN: It was interesting. You know, obviously, I'm from L.A., and we had the Rodney King situation and the riots. And I was, you know, alive through a lot of those things, and a lot of that chaos and unrest.

And there are some people in that situation who are trying to make a stand. And then there are other people that just thrive in chaos and create more chaos.

So it's a tough situation. Hopefully, there will be some learning, a deeper meaning; something will change.

NICHOLS: Whatever happened that particular day with Mike Brown, you're from Compton. You grew up among a lot of gang violence. How do you think that complicates the relationship between the police and the community, and what can get better?

SHERMAN: I think it's always a tension-filled relationship, especially in the inner city. The police are trying to do their job, and people are trying to live. People that aren't doing anything. They're just minding their own business, and they're driving around, and trying to make a living are sometimes being mixed up with criminals. And that's -- that's never what you want.

NICHOLS: You were named one of "TIME" magazine's 100 most influential people, partly because you're not afraid to talk about this kind of stuff. Do you ever worry that you're going to say the wrong thing or that people are going to take things the wrong way, or do you think it's important to be talking about these kinds of things?

SHERMAN: I think it's important, because if you stand for nothing, you fall for anything is what I was told as a young man. You know, I'm not -- obviously not always right, and I don't have all the answers. But lot of times I challenge the norm. You know, I challenge the majority.

And sometimes you need that, to spice things up, to give a different perspective. People like to -- for there to be a little stir-up, a little unexpected, a little magic sometimes. And I think that's why people watch. And I try to give it to them.

NICHOLS: Can we expect a little magic this season?

SHERMAN: I'll try my best, you know. I'll try my best. My abracadabra.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NICHOLS: Well, if last night is any indication, the magic has begun. Sherman made an entire side of the field disappear when the Packers refused to throw in his direction.

Of course, the NFL season opener not the only big football news this week. Michael Sam, the league's first openly gay player, was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Now normally practice squad signings don't make the papers. But make no mistake, this is a big deal.

The Cowboys are nicknamed America's team for a reason. They are the most popular team and the most popular sport in the country. And the most valuable too, a franchise worth $3.2 billion. And when they did what several other teams who could have used Sam were reportedly too skittish to do, they sent a message that, yes, even in the heart of tough-guy Texas, even with an incredibly lucrative business on the line, Michael Sam is not a threat to team unity or a media distraction or whatever code word the bigots are using this month.

Michael Sam is a football player, which is all he's ever wanted.

All right. We'll be back after this break to talk Tiger Woods. I will ask him whether he'll ever win another major.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WOODS: I still have the drive. And if I still have the drive, then I'll get it done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NICHOLS: Welcome back to UNGUARDED. I'm Rachel Nichols.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy should probably hate each other. After all, right now Rory has everything Tiger wants: a run of major titles, golf's No. 1 ranking, that unwavering confidence that used to be Tiger's trademark.

But instead, when they recently went on a promotional tour together for Nike's new Vapor irons, the two golfers cracked up the crowds by acting more like Abbott and Costello than Hatfield and McCoy. And when we sat down to chat, they were both very honest about, well, each other.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOODS: Ah, someone wants to play.

MCILROY: Trying to keep up with the old guy, you know.

WOODS: Is that your real hair?

NICHOLS: You guys are rivals? Friends? Describe this relationship.

WOODS: Both. First rivals, I think, initially. But we got to know each other over the last few years and have become pretty good friends.

MCILROY: I like to think that I bring the best out in him. But no, he's -- that's the side of Tiger that I know. At home we play a little bit together. We live close to each other in Florida. We're like that all the time.

NICHOLS: You've had a remarkable year. What's the most important thing that you've learned about yourself along this way?

MCILROY: I think the most important thing for me is being mentally -- I feel like I find another gear on the golf course. It just showed maybe another -- another dimension to my golf game.

NICHOLS: Toughness.

MCILROY: Yes. But I didn't -- not that I didn't know existed, but maybe other people didn't know that I have. So it's been great.

To be -- to be the face of golf or one of the faces of golf, it's a big responsibility. But at the same time, I feel like I'm up to the task of handling it well. NICHOLS: Rory talked recently about the pressure of being the

face of golf right now. Do you think that's even accurate? Do you think to the general public, people who don't follow every tournament, do you think you're still the face of golf?

WOODS: Whether I am or he is, it's irrelevant. As competitor and as players, we just want to win tournaments. And he's doing a lot better job at it than I am.

DON RIDDELL, SPORTSCASTER: Tiger Woods was imploring Tom Watson to pick him for the Ryder Cup. But just a couple of days later, the golf legend says he won't be available for the American team because of the back injury that's plagued him all season.

NICHOLS: So many injuries for you this year. Back surgery, some tough finishes at tournaments. You have been pretty good-humored about it in public. So what are the frustrating moments that we don't see?

WOODS: Well, the frustrating moments I think more than anything is trying to get ready to play. It just takes me so long to get ready to get out there and play. The physios, the warm-ups and the activations, and just getting out there. The day-to-day grind to try and get out there to play.

NICHOLS: So how many hours before you actually step out onto the course?

WOODS: Probably about four or five hours.

NICHOLS: Really?

WOODS: Yes. An early time. I've got to get up, and it takes a while.

NICHOLS: Compared to when you were younger, how much was it?

WOODS: Oh, jeez, just roll out of bed and go out to the tee. You know? It's different as you age.

NICHOLS: I know when you had your back surgery, you had quite a few conversations with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who had the same surgery. What did you guys...

WOODS: He's really good at video games. It doesn't matter what it is...

NICHOLS: That's what you guys talked about?

WOODS: ... he can become really good at them. And, you know, he was good. I think I'm better now.

It's one of those things where the first probably two months you're not doing anything. You're just lying on your butt.

NICHOLS: Can you imagine a guy like you having to sit still? WOODS: It's hard. It's very hard. And especially when two

little kids play catch, but I have to sit in a chair and play catch. I can't bend over.

NICHOLS: That's the lamest catch ever.

WOODS: I know. It was not fun. And that's how it was.

NICHOLS: And you now have finished your sixth straight year without a major championship.

WOODS: It's a reality. And it certainly is frustrating, but it's the reality. The key is to keep giving myself chances.

NICHOLS: There are a lot of opinions about what you have left in the tank. But the most important is what is what is your opinion?

WOODS: I think I still have the drive. And if I still have the drive, then I'll get it done. It all starts from within. That's what my dad always taught me, that it all starts from what do you want? What do you want to accomplish? And then go get it.

NICHOLS: Tiger dominated golf for so long. Now you're the one who's won four majors in three years.

MCILROY: Big shoes to fill, that's for sure. I'm sure when he gets healthy again, he'll continue to be up there challenging me for majors. But while he's not, I've tried to take over the mantle somewhat.

NICHOLS: We've seen you at 2 years old, the video of you striking a ball. Nine years old, you're chipping balls into a washing machine. When you look now, how good do you think you can be at 25?

MCILROY: I mean I didn't -- I didn't think at 25 I would be at this stage, four major championships. My next goal is the career grand slam, and after that to try to become the most successful European golfer ever. I feel like I can be pretty successful at this game. I feel like I can be, you know, one of the best of all time. Put it that way.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NICHOLS: One of the best of all time. No small goal there, right?

All right. When we come back, a man who knows a thing or two about being one of the best ever. Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. Right now Coach K. is at the FIBA World Cup in Spain, leading a group of NBA stars in their quest to bring home the gold for the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRZYZEWSKI: You should be in it because of what could happen that ends up being really good. (END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NICHOLS: I'm Rachel Nichols and welcome back to UNGUARDED.

Mike Krzyzewski has become one of America's most iconic coaches. He's led Duke to four NCAA championships. He's won two straight gold medals as the head coach of the U.S. Olympic team. And he joins us now from Spain where he's coaching the U.S. team at the FIBA World Championships.

Welcome, coach.

KRZYZEWSKI: Thank you. It's good to be on, Rachel.

NICHOLS: Well, starting tomorrow it is lose and go home in this tournament. Your team is packed with top NBA players. You're the favorites to win. But that's one of the challenges, right? Coaching a team to where the folks back home anything less than a gold medal is considered a major disappointment. How do you deal with that?

KRZYZEWSKI: Well, it would be a major disappointment for us, too. And it should be, you know. We have a great respect for the international community. We know how many great players there are and how old those teams are, not just individually, but collectively. And while we would rather not say lose and go home, we would rather say win and go forward.

NICHOLS: I like that. You know, before you left Spain we saw you when you came through New York and took the team to West Point. The players had a lot of fun looking at your old picture from your cadet days there. But what else do you hope that they picked up?

KRZYZEWSKI: Well, I think the main thing -- first of all, they had a lot of laughs looking at my pictures. But the main thing they got was they were dipped into a huge bucket, a huge pool of patriotism, commitment, selfless service, honor, and our guys really felt that. And I think it helped them realize even more what an honor it is to play for the United States.

NICHOLS: And it hasn't been the easiest road for this team. Paul George suffered a horrific injury during one of your scrimmages. Paul's injury also sparked some controversy, though. I mean, not long afterward, your best player, Kevin Durant, pulled out of the team. Then we heard Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban say he thinks that all big NBA stars should decline playing for this team. He argued that international competitions aren't really about patriotism at all. He thinks they're about money-making opportunities. He thinks players should instead be more careful on behalf of the NBA teams that are paying them millions of dollars.

KRZYZEWSKI: I think in Mark's case, I think he's sometimes misinterpreted. I just think he would like to share in the earnings that take place, you know, when his players are playing. And he has a right to feel that way, as an owner. You know, Rachel, it's not just playing for your country. It's

getting better. All these players feel that. Add patriotism to it, and OK, all of a sudden then everything is really good about it.

NICHOLS: It does give so it many layers and makes it a tough balance. Kyrie Irving had an injury scare the other night just, you know, while you guys have been over there. These players are getting better. They are putting themselves on the line physically, though. If you were an NBA owner or a G.M., what would you want your players to do?

KRZYZEWSKI: Well, I would definitely want them to play. Rachel, people can get hurt anywhere. Kyrie, you know, fell on his backbone, his tailbone. He's OK. He'll play tomorrow. You shouldn't stop doing something that's really important, you know, because of some fear that something might happen. You should be in it because of what could happen that ends up being really good.

NICHOLS: Well, if anyone knows about charging ahead to see what you can achieve, it is certainly you, Coach, for sure. Thank you so much for joining us tonight.

KRZYZEWSKI: Yes, thanks for having me on, Rachel.

NICHOLS: All right. And thanks to all of you. That's going to be our show for tonight. But you can follow me on Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit us on the Web at CNN.com/UNGUARDED.

And of course, we'll see you back here next Friday night on UNGUARDED, where the end of the game is just the start of the story. Good night.