Derek Anderson says he regrets statements he made blasting Browns fans following his release on Tuesday.
Cleveland released Anderson to avoid paying a $2 million roster bonus and a $7.45 million salary in 2010.
"The fans are ruthless and don't deserve a winner," Anderson said in the e-mail Tuesday. "I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured.
"I know at times I wasn't great. I hope and pray I'm playing when my team comes to town and [we] roll them."
In a statement Wednesday, Anderson apologized.
"I said some things to [News-Herald reporter] Jeff Schudel earlier that I regret," Anderson said. "Those of you who got to know me personally from covering the Browns over the past five years, know this was out of character for me. I wasn't taken out of context, but I was speaking out of frustration after my career with the Browns came to a close.
"I had some great times playing in Cleveland, especially during the 2007 season, and I met some great people and made many lifelong friends along the way," Anderson said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life."
Anderson Regrets Criticizing Fans