Houston Texans owner Cal McNair referred to COVID-19 as the "China Virus" at an event for the organization's charitable foundation in May, according to Bally Sports' Michael Silver.
Silver spoke to a source who said the attendees "gasped" after McNair made the remark.
McNair provided a statement through a Texans spokesperson to Silver apologizing for the comment:
"My comments at the event last May included an inappropriate choice of words. I immediately apologized to people who approached me then and I apologize again now. I know how important it is to choose my words carefully.