CNN suspends Martin for Super Bowl tweets

ATLANTA, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Roland Martin is being suspended as a CNN commentator because of allegedly homophobic tweets during the Super Bowl, the network said Wednesday.

Martin himself released a statement Tuesday saying he is sorry if he offended anyone. He denied encouraging violence against gays, saying he has been "steadfast against bullying," Entertainment Weekly reported.

CNN in its announcement did not give a time limit for the suspension: "Roland Martin's tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being."

During the Super Bowl, Martin sent out a tweet suggesting that men who enjoyed a commercial for David Beckham's H&M Underwear should be beaten, CNN said. He said he was talking about soccer fans, not homosexuals.

Martin is the author of "Speak Brother! A Black Man's View of America" and other books.