Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio issued a statement on Wednesday apologizing for comments he made to the media on Tuesday on racism in the NFL.
Asked about activism and protests in the league on Tuesday, Fangio said, "I don't know that it’s changed a whole lot, to be honest with you. I haven't seen a great, great change other than - I just didn't think there's a tremendous change."
He continued, "I think our problems in the NFL along those lines are minimal. We're a league of meritocracy. You earn what you get, you get what you earn. I don't see racism at all in the NFL. I don't see discrimination in the NFL. We live in a great atmosphere. Like I alluded to earlier, were lucky. We all live together joined as one for one common goal, and we intermingle and mix tremendously. If society reflected an NFL team, we’d all be great."
Fangio's comments garnered blowback from NFL players and fans on social media, and he addressed his team on Wednesday in an attempt to clarify his remarks.
In his statement, he said, "After reflecting on my comments yesterday and listening to the players this morning, I realize what I said regarding racism and discrimination in the NFL was wrong. While I have never personally experienced those terrible things first-hand during my 33 years in the NFL, I understand that many players, coaches and staff have different perspectives."