NFL cornerback Richard Sherman pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple charges following an alleged attempt to break into his in-laws' Washington state home that was caught on camera.
Sherman has been charged with driving while under the influence, reckless endangerment of roadway workers, resisting arrest and domestic-violence related counts of criminal trespass and malicious mischief, according to a spokesperson with the county's prosecutor's office. He entered his plea before King County District Court Judge Lisa Paglisotti.
Sherman is accused of driving while drunk and then trying to break into his in-laws' home in the predawn hours Wednesday, officials said.
In a statement Friday on Instagram, Sherman wrote: "I am deeply remorseful for my actions Tuesday night. I behaved in a manner I am not proud of. I have been dealing with some personal challenges over the last several months, but that is not an excuse for how I acted.
"The importance of mental and emotional health is extremely real and I vow to get the help I need."
Home surveillance footage released by the Redmond Police Department showed Sherman yelling outside a home and repeatedly running into the closed door as people inside scream.
A police report said the Maple Valley Police Department, about 30 miles south of Redmond, called Redmond police to inform them that a "suicidal subject" was on his way to the city.
Maple Valley police said they had been informed that Sherman had "threatened to hang himself" and "had been drinking," the police report said. Officers later informed Redmond police that Sherman was also threatening "suicide by cop."
"Sherman tried to grab a firearm from an officer before leaving Maple Valley and possibly traveling to Redmond," as his wife separately traveled to her mother's house, Maple Valley police told Redmond police, the report said.
Troopers with the Washington State Patrol then informed Redmond police that they had located Sherman's vehicle. He had crashed into a highway cement barrier and run away from the scene, officials said.
A short time later, Sherman's wife, Ashley Sherman, told dispatchers that he was acting “crazy at the house," according to the police report. She had fled her home with her children after Sherman "had caused a large disturbance" earlier that night, and she did not know how he found her at her parents' house, she told police.
His father-in-law, Raymond Moss, later told officers that he armed himself with a handgun and fired pepper spray at the NFL player to protect his family as Sherman tried to bust in the door with his shoulder.
Moss told police Sherman's "actions made him fearful for himself and his family," the police report said. He "adamantly" requested charges be filed against Sherman.
Ashley Sherman told police he was suffering from mental health issues.
"When Richard has a mental health episode like this, he does not remember anything about it the next day," the police report said.
Sherman was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 and helped them win their first Super Bowl in 2014. He played with the San Francisco 49ers from 2018 to 2020. He is currently a free agent.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained counselor at the Crisis Text Line. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional support networks.
