Richard Sherman: 'I shouldn't have criticised Michael Crabtree'

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has admitted that he was wrong to publicly criticise San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree following his side's NFC championship win.

The 25-year-old slammed Crabtree, calling him "mediocre" as he made the crucial play in the game knocking the ball away from the receiver into the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith, which sealed the victory and a place in the Super Bowl for the Seahawks.

Sherman wrote on MMQB.com: "If I could pass a lesson on to the kids it would be this: Don't attack anybody. I shouldn't have attacked Michael Crabtree the way I did. You don't have to put anybody else down to make yourself bigger."

Sherman and his teammates will take on the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday.