Rob Parker, the ESPN commentator who was suspended last week over comments he made questioning the “blackness” of ‘Skins quarterback Robert Griffin III offered an apology today.

Parker stirred the controversy on First Take, a morning talk show on ESPN2, when he asked if Griffin was black enough:

Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother? … He’s not real. OK, he’s black, he kind of does the thing, but he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really, like, the guy you want to hang out with because he’s off to something else.

Parker also made reference to Griffin’s fiancée, who is white.

In an note released today over Twitter, Parker said he “blew it” when talking about Griffin and race. “I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care,” Parker wrote. “The failure was in how I chose to discuss it on First Take, and in doing so, turned a productive conversation into a negative one.”

ESPN suspended Parker shortly after his original commentary garnered reaction. A spokesman for the network writes in an email that Parker’s suspension is indefinite and that his original comments remain under review.

Parker’s full note:

I blew it and I’m sincerely sorry. I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care. This past Thursday I failed to do that. I believe the intended topic is a worthy one. Robert’s thoughts about being an African-American quarterback and the impact of his phenomenal success have been discussed in other media outlets, as well as among sports fans, particularly those in the African-American community. The failure was in how I chose to discuss it on First Take, and in doing so, turned a productive conversation into a negative one. I regrettably introduced some points that I never should have and I completely understand the strong response to them, including ESPN’s reaction. Perhaps most importantly, the attention my words have brought to one of the best and brightest stars in all of sports is an unintended and troubling result. Robert Griffin III is a talented athlete who not only can do great things on the field, but off the field handles himself in a way we are all taught – with dignity, respect and pride. I’ve contacted his agent with hopes of apologizing to Robert directly. As I reflect on this and move forward, I will take the time to consider how I can continue to tackle difficult, important topics in a much more thoughtful manner.