Trent Williams and Richard Sherman's beef was water under the bridge well before they became 49ers teammates last weekend.
Williams and Sherman had an on-field altercation after Sherman's Seattle Seahawks beat Washington in the 2012 NFC Wild Card at FedEx Field. Not one to ever back down, Sherman joked on Twitter that he wanted a rematch with the 6-foot-5, 320 pound lineman after the 49ers acquired Williams in a trade on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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“I know a lot of people don’t know this but me and Sherm, we talked that night after that incident and you know, we kind of buried the hatchet then,” Williams said. “So, we, since then, have built a good relationship over the past seven years, and he’s one of the guys I talk to a lot in the offseason.”
During Sherman's seven seasons in Seattle, many 49ers players (and fans) could relate to Williams beefing with Sherman. But Sherman won over his rivals long ago, and the All-Pro cornerback is headed into his third season with the team.
CEO Jed York's reaction to video of the Williams-Sherman confrontation summed up the 49ers' change of heart.
[RELATED: Why Williams is fine playing for 49ers on current contract]
Williams knows full well how easily Sherman can get under the skin of his opponents. He'd rather play with Sherman that against the cornerback, and Williams now will have that opportunity.
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“I’ve seen him a few times,” Williams. “We’ve been good friends for a minute. Kind of happy to be on a team with him.”
Williams and Sherman have different styles of leadership, but the 49ers will rely on both as they try to retrace their steps to the Super Bowl.