SEATTLE — Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Richard Sherman pleaded guilty Monday in Seattle to two misdemeanor charges of drunk driving and domestic disturbance last summer, as part of an agreement that exempts him from further jail time.
Sherman was arrested on July 14 after police said he crashed his SUV in a construction area and tried to break into his relatives’ home in a Seattle suburb. His father-in-law, Raymond Moss, told officers that he armed himself with a pistol and shot Sherman with pepper spray to protect his family.
The break-in attempt was filmed on the home’s security camera, which was later released to the public by the court.
Sherman, who said he was “deeply remorseful” after his arrest, pleaded guilty Monday in King County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree negligent driving and second-degree criminal trespass. He also confessed to the criminal offense of speeding in a road construction zone.
“I’m grateful for the community we have and how people continue to accept you despite being an imperfect human being and making a mistake,” Sherman told the court.
Richard ShermanAP
Richard Sherman tries to break into his mother-in-law’s house. scenegrab
Sherman, a former star of the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, will pay about $825 in legal fees plus $500 for speeding in a construction zone and will be under court supervision for two years. He will be liable to pay an as-yet-undetermined amount in restitution for damages to his relatives’ home and the state transportation department.
The judge gave Sherman credit for the two days he spent in custody when he was first arrested and suspended the remaining 88 days of his sentence, meaning he won’t have to serve additional time behind bars as long as he doesn’t get into trouble.
In an email, the King County Attorney’s Office said the decision was in line with similar cases.
“Mr. Sherman somehow didn’t get special treatment,” spokeswoman Casey McNertney wrote.
Sherman initially faced multiple misdemeanor charges, including drunk driving, recklessly endangering road workers, second-degree criminal trespass, resisting arrest, and third-degree malicious mischief.
According to police reports, Sherman was belligerent, drinking heavily and talking about suicide when he left his Maple Valley home on the night of July 13. His wife Ashley Sherman called 911 to try and stop him with the police. He crashed at a construction site along Highway 520 and then went to his relatives’ home in Redmond.
Richard Sherman will appear in King County District Court on July 16. AP
Sherman, 33, became a Seattle sports legend during his seven seasons with the Seahawks. The cornerback was the star in their run to the 2014 Super Bowl victory, making a saving play to deflect a pass in the NFC championship game against the 49ers.
He is also the founder of the Blanket Coverage Foundation, a charity that provides school supplies and clothing to low-income students.