CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan) – Cleveland Browns linebacker Tank Carder apologized for using a gay slur in a conversation on Twitter last week.

“I want to sincerely apologize for the word I used! I did not in anyway mean to offend anyone! That tweet doesn’t define me as a person!,” Carder tweeted Monday evening.

He followed the apology up with another tweet, “I was not bashing the gay community in any way…if you knew me you would know I wouldn’t do that. Again I’m sorry if you were offended.”

The tweets containing the slur were sent out on Nov. 21 and have been since deleted but were picked up by Cyd Zeigler Jr. of OutSports.com.

Carder originally stood by the tweet last week when he was criticized for it but has since had a change of heart.

The Browns acknowledged in a brief statement that they have spoken to Carder about his use of language on social media.

“These comments are certainly not reflective of the Cleveland Browns organization, nor do we condone them in any fashion,” Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said in a statement. “We have spoken with Tank and have made this very clear to him.”

The website, which specializes in gay sports news and commentary, has asked the NFL to suspend Carder for a game for using the slur.

Carder has appeared in 10 games this season and compiled 5 tackles – 2 of them solo – on special teams.

Follow @RuiterWrongFAN