Updated 9:56 p.m. | Sen. Maria Cantwell is defending cornerback Richard Sherman after Sen. John McCain ripped him as “a loudmouth from Seattle” following his boastful rant after the Seattle Seahawks’ NFC Championship victory.

The Washington Democrat told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree is to blame for provoking Sherman.

“If I had a Richard Sherman jersey, I’d wear it,” Cantwell said when asked about McCain’s remarks.

“I think he should focus on changing the name of the Washington football team that right now is an insult to Native Americans,” Cantwell told the newspaper.

The NFL disagreed with Cantwell, fining Sherman $7,875 for taunting (not, as we originally wrote, for the outburst).