"In an attempt to soften criticism following controversial comments he made about Osama bin Laden, Rashard Mendenhall offered a sweeping explanation Wednesday and said his comments were "misconstrued."

The Steelers running back closed with an apology to anyone he offended with remarks that mushroomed into a national story. He said he was encouraging freedom of opinion on his Twitter account ?" not stir anti-American sentiment ?" when he questioned the widespread celebrations that took place following the killing of bin Laden during a U.S. military operation.

"I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive matter, but it was not meant to do harm," Mendenhall wrote in a blog post that exceeded 500 words. "I apologize to anyone I unintentionally harmed with anything that I said, or any hurtful interpretation that was made and put in my name. I want people to understand that I am not in support of bin Laden or against the USA.

"I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country and to the people whose families were affected. My heart goes out to the troops who fight for our freedoms everyday, not certain if they will have the opportunity to return home, and the families who watch their loved ones bravely go off to war."

Mendenhall sounded a different tone Monday, at least to those whose ire he raised, when he took issue with the unbridled joy shown by many following the announcement of bin Laden's death. He had written that there is more than one side to the story in regard to bin Laden, the face of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks killed thousands of people.

"I wasn't questioning Bin Laden's evil acts," Mendenhall wrote. "I believe that he will have to face God for what he has done. I was reflecting on our own hypocrisy. During 9/11 we watched in horror as parts of the world celebrated death on our soil. Earlier this week, parts of the world watched us in horror celebrating a man's death."

Mendenhall, who has posted consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, also questioned how the planes flown into the World Trade Center could have brought down the Twin Towers "demolition style."

He removed remarks about the Twin Towers from his Twitter account Tuesday and did not address them in his blog entry."