Joe Flacco, the reigning Super Bowl most valuable player and briefly the highest paid player in NFL history, has signed a pledge to not use the word "retarded" anymore, according to reports.

During media week of Super Bowl XLVII, Flacco called the idea of holding the Super Bowl in MetLife Stadium "retarded" because of the frigid weather and high chance of precipitation during the winter months.

Flacco apologized immediately and profusely for his poor choice of words, saying at the time, "Obviously it was a bad choice of words. I wish I hadn't said it. I have a great relationship with Special Olympics back in Baltimore and have had one for many years. I didn't mean to offend anybody, but I definitely apologize for it."

His full quote during media week read: "Yeah, I think it's retarded. I probably shouldn't say that. I think it's stupid. If you want a Super Bowl, put a retractable dome on your stadium. Then you can get one. Other than that I don't really like the idea. I don't think people would react very well to it, or be glad to play anybody in that kind of weather.

Now, Flacco and teammates Ed Dickson and Gino Gradkowski have signed a pledge to eliminate use of the offensive word. Flacco and his teammates signing the pledge has been highly publicized by the Maryland Special Olympics page.