Sherman Calls Proposed Ban Of 'N' Word 'Atrocious Idea, Almost Racist'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is opposed to the National Football League banning the use of the "n" word on the field.
Not only does he think it's a terrible idea, but he finds it to be offensive.
"It's an atrocious idea," the Pro Bowler told themmqb.com. "It's almost racist to me. It's weird they're targeting one specific word. Why wouldn't all curse words be banned then?"
The website asked three black players -- Sherman, Titans cornerback Jason McCourty and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson -- what they think of the proposed ban and the 15-yard penalty that may come with it. Jackson was the only one of the three who supported the league's effort to rid itself of the slur.
The Super Bowl XLVIII champion stressed that often times when players use the "n" word, they are not using it in a prejudicial manner.
"It's in the locker room and on the field at all times," Sherman told themmqb.com. "I hear it almost every series out there on the field."
McCourty agreed with Sherman's point of view, and stressed that the use of the word just comes from habit and is not meant to be disrespectful.
"It's a common word in so many players' everyday lives," he told the website. "Among African-American players and people, it's used among friends all the time. It seems like a bit much for the NFL to try to get rid of it. It's a pretty common word in the locker room."
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome told ESPN.com that the league's competition committee has also considered banning homophobic slurs.
On the network's "Outside The Lines" program, Steelers safety Ryan Clark said that a rule banning the word would be "really tough to legislate."
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