Watch CBS News

Flacco No Fan Of Chilly Super Bowls, Catches Heat For R-Word Response

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is catching heat for his response to a question regarding the idea of cold-weather Super Bowls.

"Yeah, I think it's retarded," Flacco said during his media session Monday.

The 28-year-old, who will go up against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII, immediately backtracked from the insensitive remark.

"I probably shouldn't say that. I think it's stupid," he said. "If you want a Super Bowl, put a retractable dome on your stadium. Then you can get one. Other than that, I don't really like the idea. I don't think people would react very well to it, or be glad to play anybody in that kind of weather."

MORE SUPER COVERAGE: CBS Baltimore | CBS San Francisco

Next year's Super Bowl will take place at MetLife Stadium in Flacco's home state of New Jersey. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell both embraced the potential for wintry weather during a press conference last week.

New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers said of Flacco, "Who knew he had such poor command of the English language? ... He's a bright guy. He needs to know better."

"He's going to have to deal with it," WFAN co-host Boomer Esiason said on Tuesday. "I'm sure he'll come out today, I'm sure that he will give an apology. ... I guarantee you that Joe Flacco probably did not get a lot of sleep last night, will get up this morning, will apologize, and hopefully people will understand that he made a mistake."

Flacco did exactly that on media day.

"Obviously (a) bad choice of words," he said Tuesday afternoon. "Wish I hadn't said it."

Super Bowl XLVII will be broadcast on CBS, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Your thoughts? Let us know in the comments...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.