Michael Vick apologized for saying earlier this week that free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick should cut his hair to help change his image.
Appearing on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday, the retired NFL quarterback said he was "truly sorry" for making the comments Tuesday on Kaepernick's hair during an appearance on FS1's "Speak For Yourself." Vick's comments quickly went viral and have been criticized widely in the media.
Kaepernick, 29, spent his first six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He was in the spotlight last season for his decision to kneel during the national anthem as a way of protesting social injustice.
Vick, 37, spent 13 seasons as an NFL quarterback. His career was interrupted by a 21-month federal prison sentence for running a dogfighting ring.
"At the end of the day, what I said, I should have never said. I think it was taken out of context in regards to what I was trying to convey, but I only want to help Kaepernick," Vick said Thursday. "I'm not a general manager, I'm not the guy who makes the decisions on getting him signed and I'm truly sorry for what I said. I think I should have used a better choice of words.
"Obviously his Afro has nothing to do with him being signed, and I wasn't trying to relay that message," he continued. "It was more so about helping him at the end of the day. In all my interviews, all I have ever tried to do is help him and talk positive."
Vick tweeted a clarification on his comments on Wednesday, but he didn't apologize directly as he did Thursday.
Kaepernick's only apparent response to Vick's comments was to tweet out a definition of Stockholm syndrome, where the victim comes to identify with and bond with the kidnapper.
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March and hasn't been signed by another team. His decision to kneel during the national anthem last season became a polarizing topic of national conversation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.