ALBANY, New York - New York Giants star tight end Jeremy Shockey apologized Saturday, one day after it was revealed he made controversial comments in an upcoming magazine article.
Referring to Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, Shockey said, "I'll make him pay when we play them, the homo." The quote appears in an article in New York magazine, which hits newsstands Monday.
Shockey met with the media Saturday at Giants training camp and the team also issued a statement on his behalf.
"I want to apologize to my family, my teammates and the Giants organization," Shockey said. "I did not intend to disrespect anyone, but I understand that is exactly what I have done with several of my recent comments in the stuff that has come out and continues to come out.
"Several of my comments have been thoughtless, immature and made with a total disregard for those around me and for any possible consequences. I understand that some of my comments have been irresponsible."
When he initially responded to the article, Shockey said his friends called Parcells a "homo" and he was relaying the story. But the writer, Chris Smith, told the New York Daily News he has the interview on tape.
"He ended this monologue (on Parcells) by calling him 'the homo,'" Smith told the newspaper. "It's 100 percent accurate."
On Saturday, Shockey maintained Smith took quotes out of context.
"Everything I say, they only take half the sentence, they erase the other half, they change it," Shockey said in his statement. "It's just how it works. I understand that you all have a job to do, you all have to do things. That's all I really have to say about that. Now I have things to do to help this team get better and help this organization win a lot of football games."
On Friday, Giants coach Jim Fassel publicly expressed his displeasure with Shockey's comments. He spoke with Shockey on Saturday morning.
"He made it clear to me that some of my recent comments are completely unaceptable and I understand where he's coming from," Shockey said. "I am aware of how upset Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch (owners Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch) are with me for saying some of the stupid things I've said and I do not blame them. All I can do now is re-assure them that I am proud to be a member of this organization and that I will represent this franchise in that way from here on out."
Shockey never played for Parcells, who coached the Giants to Super Bowl titles in 1986 and 1990, but said in the interview he was upset at the coach for questioning his talent while working as a television commentator for ESPN last season.
"All my buddies are like, 'Why's he dogging you?'" Shockey told the magazine. "'After you catch a pass on him this year, you oughta throw it right at his fat head.'"
Parcells did not question Shockey's talent but rather his penchant for taking off his helmet and signaling for a first down after making catches.
Shockey also blasted Parcells for returning to coaching after announcing his retirement.
"He says he quits, then he wants to come back and coach," Shockey told the magazine. "Do something. Stay in commentary or stay in football or get the hell out of everybody's life."
Perhaps the highest-profile athlete in New York behind Derek Jeter, Shockey made headlines as a rookie last year for his insensitive comments about gays on Howard Stern's radio show.
On the field, Shockey was an impact player for the Giants, catching 74 passes for 894 yards and two touchdowns. But off the field, he made the team nervous with his admitted all-night hours at New York nightclubs and his controversial comments.
In a playoff loss to San Francisco, Shockey tossed a cup of ice over his shoulder and hit a child in the stands. He apologized for that incident but was fined by the NFL.
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
