Flak For Flacco Over 'R' Word
BALTIMORE (CBSBaltimore) - "Yeah, I think it's retarded," Flacco said during his media session Monday when asked his opinion of cold weather cities hosting a Super Bowl.
He immediately backstepped: "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."
The use of the word "r-word" has raised many objections among groups advocating for the mentally handicapped, who call it derogatory.
The national press always looking for stories during Super Bowl week got one from the 28-year-old quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens.
Everyone from SI to The New York Daily News to the Business Insider is remarking on the Ravens QBs gaffe.
Some comments (courtesy of CBS New York)
- 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 address it on Ravens ' Media Day on Tuesday.
"Obviously (a) bad choice of words, Wish I hadn't said it."
Is this political correctness gone wrong, a simple mistake or a major error on the part of the Ravens quarterback?
Either way, it will definitely get ink, spin & chattering from the talking heads leading up to this Sunday's Super Bowl.
