Imus explains controversial remark

NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- Radio shock jock Don Imus sought to clarify a racial remark he made about Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, an African-American.

While discussing Jones's desire to ditch his nickname Monday, Imus was told Jones has "been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005."

Imus asked one of his on-air sidekicks, "What color is he?"

"He's African-American," the co-star said.

"Well, there you go," Politico quoted Imus as saying. "Now we know."

Asked in an e-mail message what he had intended by his remark, Imus wrote that he meant Jones "was being picked on because he's black," The New York Times reported.

Imus lost his CBS radio show and MSNBC simulcast last year after he made racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. He issued a public apology to the team and the African-American community, and was hired by another network a few months later.

Jones told the Dallas Morning News he was offended by Imus' most recent remarks when a reporter brought them to his attention Monday night.

"I'm truly upset about the comments," Jones said. "Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him."