Seahawks' Carroll Open to Exploring Pot's Med Benefits

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll says it's time to reconsider banning pot in the NFL.  

Now before you get your shoulder pads all twisted, take note: He's talking medicinal purposes only.

Medicinal marijuana is legal in 20 states, including Washington, home to the Seattle Seahawks.

Carroll was asked his thoughts on recent comments by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell concerning the use of weed if it were shown to help players who had suffered concussions.

"I would say that we have to explore and find ways to make our game a better game and take care of our players in whatever way possible," Carroll said at Super Bowl media session yesterday. "Regardless of what other stigmas might be involved, we have to do this because the world of medicine is doing this."

Will it happen? Who knows?

But if it does, don't be surprised if the line to the trainers' room is longer than ever.

Super problem

When discussing the Super Bowl, Mike Ditka believes "cold" is a four-letter word.

The temperature for Sunday's game pitting the Seahawks against the Broncos at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., is expected to be in the 30s.

And that, said Ditka, just isn't right.

"First of all, it's not fair to the players," Ditka told the Detroit Free Press. "It's not going to be fair to the fans. It's not going to be that enjoyable. I mean, I understand it's the Super Bowl and it's a privilege to play in the Super Bowl. It'd be nice to be playing in Miami or San Diego or New Orleans or somewhere the weather is conducive to guys being able to show their talents."

"The weather's going to be a problem. They made a big mistake. The game shouldn't be there. I mean, it's stupid."

Ditka, by the way, knows a thing or two about playing in cold weather. In his 12-year NFL career, he spent six seasons with the Bears and two with the Eagles.