NFL star tangled up in bizarre tackle

Seattle Seahawks' corner Richard Sherman has declared he will be "keeping" his long hair despite the dreadlocks leading to a painful and bizarre tackle in the NFL.

The Seahawks were facing the Baltimore Ravens when Sherman perfectly read Ravens' quarterback Jimmy Clausen and intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter.

However, the once self-described "best corner in the game" was kept from inflicting any more damage after the pick when he was curtailed and thrown to the ground – by his hair.

NFL rules state that a player's hair is "a part of the uniform" and can be legally used to tackle an opponent.

Following the 35-6 Seahawks victory, Sherman used his locker room interview to once again defy critics who believe he should take a pair of clippers to his dreadlocked mane.

"I play the game, (the rule is) part of the game," Sherman said.

"And now everybody who's ever told me I should cut my hair is going to be out there celebrating like 'I told you, I told you, if you just didn't have the hair.

"But I'm keeping it, I'm keeping it, it's part of me."