Knicks' Stoudemire apologizes for using gay slur in direct message to fan on Twitter

After a fan posts a screen shot of Stoudemire's direct message to him, the Knicks forward apologizes. (AP)

NEW YORK -- Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire has apologized to a fan for using a gay slur in response to a crude tweet in which the fan admonished the All-Star to "make up for this past season."

The fan (at)BFerrelli tweeted his comment on Saturday and received a direct message containing an expletive and the slur from the account Twitter verifies as Stoudemire's. BFerrelli, identified by the Daily News as Brian Ferrelli, posted a screen shot of the direct message. Direct messages can only be seen by the sender and the recipient.

Stoudemire apologized early Sunday, using another direct message that BFerrelli posted as a screen shot, saying "I apologize for what I said earlier. I just got off the plane and had time to think about it. Sorry bro!! No Excuses. Won't happen again."

Calls to the Knicks and the NBA weren't immediately returned.