Pete Carroll: Richard Sherman can skip Super Bowl for son's birth

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says his star cornerback Richard Sherman is permitted to skip the Super Bowl to see the birth of his son if he chooses.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says his star cornerback Richard Sherman is permitted to skip the Super Bowl to see the birth of his son if he chooses.

"It's about family first and we will support his decision," Carroll said, according to Pro Football Talk. 

Sherman's girlfriend, Ashley Moss, is pregnant with their first child and expected to give birth within the next week. She is in Arizona and Sherman did not say if he would miss the Super Bowl to be with her during labor if it overlaps with the game.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Sherman said earlier this week. "We're not thinking about the possibility." 

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Carroll also joked that Sherman would want to name his child after his coach. 

Pete Carroll says Richard Sherman can skip Super Bowl if he wants to see birth of son. And adds, "I can't wait to see little Petey."

— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) January 30, 2015

Sherman has said that he and his girlfriend have picked a name for their child, though they have not yet revealed it. 

The Seahawks play the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. 

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