Houston Texans owner Bob McNair caused a stir last season when it was reported that he said, "We can’t have the inmates running the prison," in response to players' decision to take a knee during the National Anthem. McNair made the comment during an Oct. 18 owners' meeting.
As the story began gaining steam, and many players on his own team spoke out about their displeasure, McNair apologized for the comment.
"I regret that I used that expression. I never meant to offend anyone and I was not referring to our players. I used a figure of speech that was never intended to be taken literally," McNair said in a statement. "I would never characterize our players or our league that way and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it."
It appears, however, that his apology wasn't exactly sincere. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, McNair said he regrets issuing the apology.
“The main thing I regret is apologizing,” McNair said.
He added that it was merely a figure of speech, and he was actually referring to the control of league execs over team owners.
“I really didn’t have anything to apologize for,” he said.
McNair added that his team would consider signing any player who would help the team—even one who knelt during the National Anthem. McNair said the Texas took a look at the still-unsigned Colin Kaepernick, but the team's coaches "didn't like the way he threw the ball."
The Texans finished 4-12 last season.
