Richard Sherman
Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman in a screen grab from his YouTube live stream. (YouTube image)

UPDATE, 2:50 p.m. PT: The video is now back up.

UPDATE, 11:45 a.m. PT: Richard Sherman’s live stream Q&A video from his hospital bed disappeared from his YouTube channel about an hour after he posted it on Thursday. Perhaps the Seahawks or the NFL weren’t into the setting or the format? If it reappears, we’ll drop it back on here. But we did see it happen, and the details are below.

Original story: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t wait to get dressed or even get out of his hospital bed on Thursday as he went live on YouTube to update fans and answer questions following surgery on his ruptured achilles tendon.

Sherman, who hasn’t missed a game since entering the NFL in 2011, suffered the season-ending injury in the Seahawks’ win over the Arizona Cardinals a week ago. He underwent surgery on Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisc., under the care of Dr. Bob Anderson, a renowned foot and ankle specialist, according to NBC Sports.

Staring into the camera and looking a little groggy, it took about 1:20 to get the volume figured out.

Sherman said, “The comeback starts now,” as he spent about 13 minutes thanking fans for their well-wishes and providing a little bit of insight about how he’ll spend his time over the next several months.

  • “I do have a plan for e-sports. I’m trying to get involved, trying to get a team. So, still working on that, obviously.”
  • “I’m gonna be playing ‘Call of Duty,’ ‘NBA 2K.’ I’m getting pretty good at ‘Call of Duty’ now. Found my gun, an MG 15, so … getting it done.”
  • “I don’t play ‘Madden.’ When you play football for a living, you don’t play ‘Madden.’ Well, at least I don’t.”
  • “My favorite NBA team? The Lakers. … I was supposed to say Sonics? I’m from L.A.”

Sherman said he was leaving Green Bay and flying back to Seattle on Thursday. He ended the stream by saying that he planned to do the live chats weekly or at least twice a month, to answer as many questions as possible and keep fans updated. “Go Hawks,” he said.

Beyond the hospital-room setting and the candid nature of the conversation, Sherman’s choice of YouTube and his desire to provide such access was interesting. He gave fans an immediate, free view into his world, and did it on his own channel instead of at a Seahawks facility. And he bypassed other platforms such as Facebook or Instagram or Snap or wherever.

“Gonna bring you into my life now more than ever before,” Sherman said in the description for a “Welcome to My YouTube Channel” video he posted on Monday:

It’s especially relevant when contrasted with teammate Russell Wilson’s new startup and App, TraceMe, which aims to connect “superfans” with celebrities, offering daily exclusive behind-the-scenes content from your favorite athlete, artist, actor, or other influential person.

That venture and the high-powered backers supporting it, are banking on a team of engineers, designers, and others who will help the company separate itself from other apps and services.

Much like he’s done on the field for six seasons, Sherman separated himself from the pack once again.

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