Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said it will be up to cornerback Richard Sherman to decide whether to miss the Super Bowl if his pregnant girlfriend goes into labor.
Ashley Moss is expecting the couple's first child, a boy, in early February.
"I would not like to miss the birth of my first kid, but hopefully and God willing, we won't have to cross that bridge," said Sherman, the defensive star who has played a key role in Seattle's run to a second straight NFL title game.
The Seahawks, who crushed Denver in last year's Super Bowl, will be trying to become the first team in a decade to win back-to-back titles when they take on New England on Sunday.
"That's up to Richard," Carroll said on Friday. "He knows he has the opportunity to face a big decision.
"Whenever our players have an emotional or family issue it's always about family first. However he deals with that, if he's faced with that decision, we'll support him.
"I wish him luck," Carroll added, "and I can't wait to see little Petey."
Source: AFP