Iverson steps back from earlier claims

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson issued a statement Thursday in which he said he respects police officers, and recent comments that he feared police referred to only a few individuals on the force.
Iverson said Thursday that his remarks that he "could wind up dead tomorrow" if a rogue officer wanted him dead were made at the end of a long interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. He said those comments referred to only a few officers, whom he did not name.
The statement came after Robert Eddis, president of the Philadelphia lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, said about 40 officers were boycotting a team-sponsored law enforcement appreciation night due to Iverson's comments last month.