Richard Sherman does not support the NFL’s effort to ban usage of the N-word during gameplay, calling the effort “almost racist.”

Richard Sherman Calls N-Word Ban 'Atrocious'

“It’s an atrocious idea,” Sherman, who plays cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, told The MMQB. “It’s almost racist, to me. It’s weird they’re targeting one specific word. Why wouldn’t all curse words be banned then?”

“It’s in the locker room and on the field at all times,” Sherman added. “I hear it almost every series out there on the field.”

Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty shared a similar sentiment as Sherman – the word is too pervasive in the culture. "It's a common word in so many players' everyday lives," he told The MMQB.com. "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."

Ryan Clark, a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't sure the league will be able to effectively enforce the ban. Clark said he thought it would be "really tough to legislate" in a interview with ESPN.

The NFL n-word ban, which could also included other words under the ban’s umbrella – including homophobic slurs, would issue the offending player a 15-yard penalty for using the unacceptable language. When the NFL owners meetings take place towards the end of March, the league is hoping it will make headway on the new rule, which could be implemented by the 2014 season.

– Chelsea Regan

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