Everything is suppose to be nice and fuzzy at mini-camp for the Super Bowl champs, right?
Well, not so much. Tempers flared today during practice when Sherman and Bates exchanged blows.
Both Sherman and Bates landed blows to the other’s head, but neither player was injured.
The altercation began one play earlier when receiver Bryan Walters made a diving catch on the sidelines while being closely covered by free safetyEarl Thomas, who fell over the top of Walters after the play.
Walters injured his left shoulder and was in obvious pain on the sideline. Receiver Doug Baldwin was clearly angry, believing Thomas had landed on Walters in the no-tackling scrimmage.
Sherman was playing press coverage on Bates the next play. They grabbed each other at the snap, and neither man let go. Sherman ripped off Bates’ helmet, and punches flew before Sherman also lost his helmet.
Receiver Percy Harvin was the next player in the fight, pushing Sherman as everyone came off the sidelines to try to break it up. Running back Marshawn Lynch, who wasn’t practicing because of a sore ankle, ran in to pull Harvin back.
This sounds like a matter of tough love.