Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has slammed the NFL's proposal to ban the N-word during matches.

The league's competition committee will discuss the possibility of introducing a rule that will see players penalised 15 yards for saying the racial slur, while a second offence would result in an ejection.

However, Sherman believes that the rule itself is "almost racist" and claims that it is a common word amongst players in the locker room and out on the field.

"It's an atrocious idea. It's almost racist to me. It's weird they're targeting one specific word. Why wouldn't all curse words be banned then?" Sherman told themmqb.com.

"It's in the locker room and on the field at all times. I hear it almost every series out there on the field."

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark has also expressed reservations over the proposed new rule.