ESPN commentator apologizes for calling RGIII "cornball brother" The ESPN analyst who called Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III a "cornball brother" has apologized - a full week after his comments drew widespread condemnation. Rob Parker, a veteran newspaper columnist who appears regularly on several ESPN television and radio shows, played the race card on ESPN's First Take on Dec. 13, claiming that Griffin was "not really down with the cause" due to reports that he has a white fiancée and possible Republican leanings. "I blew it and I'm sincerely sorry," Parker wrote six days after the controversy. 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. In his statement, Parker, who has been suspended by ESPN, also praised the rookie quarterback as among the "best and brightest" in all of sports. "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," Parker wrote. 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. Parker has contacted Griffin's agent in hopes of apologizing directly to the former Heisman Trophy winner who has since captured Washington Redskins (8-6) fans along Capitol Hill with his quick feet, rocket arm and sound decision-making. "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," Parker's statement concluded. ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys told FoxNews.com last week that Parker's comments were "inappropriate" and that the network was conducting a full review. Soltys could not be reached for comment early Thursday. Parker wondered last week. He's not real. He's kind of black, but he's not really, like, the you want to hang out with because he's off to something else. We all know he has a white fiancée. There was all this talk about how he's a Republican ... Tiger Woods was like, "I've got black skin but don't call me black."" Following Parker's comments, Griffin's father told USA Today that the scribe needed to define what "one of us" meant. Griffin, for his part, refused to be drawn into the melee, instead thanking his fans on Twitter. Parker's comments led to a firestorm of online criticism, with most postings calling for the outspoken analyst to be fired.