Browns’ Savage apologizes to fan

BEREA (AP) — Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage has apologized to a fan whom he sent a profane e-mail to following Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Savage used an expletive in his response to the fan, who criticized the GM in several e-mail exchanges.

“It happened after the game,” Savage in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “There had been previous e-mails from him over the months and enough was enough. We have both apologized to each other since.

“The Browns’ fans have overwhelmingly been supportive of me over the past 3-plus seasons and I appreciate that greatly.”

Earlier, Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he spoke with Savage, who sent the e-mail moments after Cleveland’s 29-27 win over the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.

“We all get frustrated at times,” Crennel said. “Phil generally, like the rest of us, tries to be professional and hold it in. But sometimes some things slip out. It’s unfortunate that it slipped out. Tough times, tough things happen. I’m sure that if we had it to do over again we’d do it a little bit differently.”

Savage’s e-mail exchange with the fan was first reported on sports blog deadspin.com.

The fan, without revealing his name, appeared on WKNR radio in Cleveland on Thursday and said he had been badgering Savage throughout the game.