Speaking to the local media for the first time since his postgame comments against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10 that seemed to question the work ethic of Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, pass rusher Micah Parsons apologized, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

On Thursday, Parsons said he wished he was clearer with his statement.

"When I'm talking about 'here,' I'm thinking the Dallas Cowboys," Parsons said. "I was in middle school, elementary school when Mike McCarthy was with the Packers, and I have no reference to that. So, when I'm talking about here Dallas Cowboys and what was accomplished the most, I'm thinking about the guys, and I've only ever been here. So obviously no disrespect to [McCarthy's] career and what he's made for himself as one of the most winningest coaches. I could have done better. I was angry and I just didn't finish, and I wasn't as thoughtful as I usually am. I didn't think people would take that context the way it was. That's on me. I lost [the game], I didn't want to finish, and I wanted to hurry up out of the locker room. Next time I will be very careful about what I say. So that's my apologies."

In an attempt to back veterans, like Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin, Parsons had said, "You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. So, those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for."

Parsons and McCarthy had a discussion the next day.

"The most important thing is obviously how much love I have for Coach McCarthy," Parsons said Thursday. "You never want to throw shade or anything on your coach. But I think like anything, him understanding I'm always going to be a players' guy first, right. I'm always going to think about the guys around me before anyone. That's who I go to war with. Those are the guys that are leaning on me and I'm leaning on them. That's how we feed our families. That's kind of what I wanted to get across. We hashed it out, it was all good and gravy."

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