NEW ORLEANS — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco apologized for his word selection in criticizing the NFL’s decision to hold next year’s Super Bowl in an outdoor stadium at a cold weather site.
On Monday, Flacco was asked about the game being played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“I think it’s retarded. I probably shouldn’t say that.
I think it’s stupid,” he said.
On Tuesday, he was contrite.
“Obviously, it was a poor choice of words,” he said.
“At home, I have a close relationship with Special Olympics. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
Flacco would like nothing more than to return to the Super Bowl next year, even if it might be in freezing conditions for the first time.
It’s in his home state to boot.
The fifth-year pro from Audubon, N.J., preparing for Sunday’s Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers, is not a fan of playing the next big game in East Rutherford.
“I think it’s obvious reasons,” Flacco said.
“They’ve done it the way they’ve been doing it for 47 years. There’s a lot that goes into this game, more than just playing the game: It’s about the fans and it’s about the players that played for the right to get there. There are a lot of things that go into it and it’s just kind of a crazy decision, I believe.” By the horns
Of all the topics Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might have been prepared to talk about at Super Bowl media day, deerantler spray probably was not among them.
He declined to directly address a Sports Illustrated report that he sought help from a company that makes the unorthodox product to speed up his recovery from a torn right triceps.
Lewis was the NFL’s leading tackler in the playoffs after missing 10 regular-season games with the injury.
The company says itsdeer-antler substance contains a byproduct of human growth hormone.
Lewis dismissed the report Tuesday as “stupidity.” He said: “There’s never been a question of if I ever even thought about using” a banned substance.
The 37-year-old Lewis plans to retire after Sunday’s Super Bowl. He was the MVP of the 2001 title game.
More Moss
Last week, the Baltimore Ravens’ Ed Reed said he plans to be back for another season. On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers’ Randy Moss said he wants to come back, too.
One of the first questions Moss was asked when the 49ers kicked off Super Bowl media day Tuesday was whether Sunday’s game would be the final one of his 14-year, five-team, potential Hall of Fame career.
“I’ve thought about it,” the 35-year-old Moss said, “I do want to play another year.”
Moss has seen limited playing time this season with 28 catches for 434 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 5 catches for 71 yards inthe playoffs.
The 34-year-old Reed promised to be “playing next year,” ending speculation he was about to call it a career. Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowler and probable Hall of Famer, is finishing his 11th season, and was one of only two players on the Ravens’ defense to start all 16 regular-season games. He has a club-record 61 interceptions and the NFL-record of 1,541 yards in interception returns.
Necklace?
San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about the “necklace” he wears on the sideline during games that includes a Sharpie. He seemed taken aback.
“Well I take great offense that you call it a necklace.
It’s a whistle,” he said with a smile, drawing laughs from the media. “It’s a coaches’ whistle that coaches have long worn around their neck. I believe every coach should have a whistle. It’s hard to imagine going out to practice without a whistle.
“Then I just put a pen onto the whistle string. It’s not complicated at all. If I need a pen, it’s just right there.”
Sports, Pages 24 on 01/30/2013