Former San Diego Charger turned Miami Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau has apologized for using a derogatory term towards gays while speaking at a recent Dolphins team banquet.

During his speech June 2, Seau said, “This is a great group of guys we have on this team. … I would say love and everybody would say you’re a faggot, but I’m not. We care in that locker room. My feminine side might come out once in a while, but I’m telling you, there is a lot of love in that locker room.”

At the time Seau was accepting a leadership award presented in front of more than 1,000 people at one of the team’s annual banquets. His comments were greeted with a chuckle from the crowd.

The incident marked the second time comments by Seau have generated controversy since joining the Dolphins last year. Before a 2003 game against San Diego, Seau joked that he would stop the Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson by “feeding him a couple of watermelons and some fried chicken.”

Seau quickly apologized for the comment and Tomlinson said he took no offense at what was said by a player he considers a close friend.

Responding to complaints from the Miami GLBT community, Seau held a press conference at the team’s training facility the day after the banquet.

“What I’ve tried to do throughout my career, and as a person, is to [have] a positive effect on people,” Seau said. “A joke that came out due to my stupidity is something we have to deal with. With that, I am very sad and I apologize. I learned a lesson. The things we say, the words are very powerful and they can be very hurtful.”

Coaches and teammates spoke out in support of Seau.

“I know Junior and that he did not mean anything by what he said,” Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. “It was a bad choice of words. I know what a good person he is and what he does in the community and on this team.”

Quarterback A.J. Feeley added, “It just goes to show you have to be careful what you say. Even though he probably didn’t mean it like that, it just got taken out of context. He means no disrespect to homosexuals or lesbians. It’s one of those things where he got caught up in the moment. Sometimes when you’re on stage and you get a little stage fright, things come out of your mouth that you normally wouldn’t say.”

Among those who responded to Seau’s comments was Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Dean Trantalis, who is gay.

“Unfortunately, there are a few left in our society who do not understand the differences in people,” Trantalis said. “That comment is not only offensive, but it’s a putdown for anyone who is deemed different from the rest of society. … The way I see it, apologies are meant to make the perpetrator feel good about himself. If a person wants to heal a wound, they need to take some action. It is my suggestion he take part in the Gay Pride Parade, and I’d even walk with him if he wanted.”

Both situations have made Seau aware that some of the things he says are not politically correct, especially in a public forum.

“I need to take a [sensitivity] class,” Seau said. “I really do.”