NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said that he was "not cheering" following Richard Sherman's post-game comments at the NFC championship game.

The Seattle Seahawks cornerback slammed San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree after helping the NFC West champions seal a place in next month's Super Bowl, while also declaring himself as the best cornerback in the NFL.

Goodell told CBS This Morning: "It's an emotional game, and you see a young man who comes off the field and he's pumped up, and there's so much excitement in the stadium, but no, I'm not cheering for that because he's a great young man.

"He's extremely well spoken, does great things off the field, obviously a great player on the field. I want him to make sure that he's reflecting on himself and his family in a positive way.

"He took away a little bit from the team. That was what he said yesterday. I thought that was a very interesting comment and I think it's fair."

Sherman led the league in interceptions during the 2013 regular season with eight.