BEREA (AP) — Josh Cribbs promises to take out his frustrations on opponents and instead of fans.

The Browns’ kick returner apologized Wednesday for his profane tweet following Cleveland’s latest loss.

Cribbs knew he was wrong long before coach Pat Shurmur talked to him about it the next day.

“I knew it as soon as I hit the button,” he said Wednesday.

Cribbs said he was mad at himself for fumbling a punt, angry that it contributed to the 34-12 loss in Denver, then enraged when he got several derogatory messages.

“People think we’re out there playing a game, but for me it’s my life,” he said. “I’m all about football.

“It’s not impossible not to respond, but I play with so much passion. It’s not one of my characteristics to be passionless. I play the game with so much heart and soul and my teammates do the same. I’ve played my whole life for this opportunity. The comments I made were out of frustration.”

After being called out by what he said were “10 or 15” tweeting fans, Cribbs responded Sunday by sending out:

“See all the negativity on twitter after I gave my life to this …. . So 2 all u who are against me …. all y’all! I’m still gonna do me!”

He deleted it minutes later, then put out another saying, “There’s a new breed of haters out there disguised as fans.” He deleted that one as well.

It was too late.

“Most people never even saw it, but it got around by word of mouth and all,” he said Wednesday. “Word travels fast and can get distorted.

“I deleted because it was the right thing to do. I was mad at myself and how we lost and how I played. I felt that a lot of people believed my words were directed toward the fans in general. I don’t think the fans have turned on me. They want me to be successful so bad that they voice their frustration the wrong way when I’m not.”

Cribbs said he won’t get caught responding so passionately again, realizes true Browns fans would not try to tweak him, and the best way to make amends is to play well in the final game in Pittsburgh.

“The best way I can redeem myself is to play good against the Steelers,” he said. “You can’t let (fans) get the best of you — but if you press my button, that’s going to happen. I’m passionate about what I do, love my team, my teammates.”

Cribbs is in the final year of a three-year contract and wants to stay in Cleveland.

“I want to end my career here, I love it here,” he said.

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