On hi show, produced by WFAN Radio in New York and simulcast on TV by MSNBC, Don Imus on Wednesday referred to the Rutgers players as "nappy-headed ho's."

NABJ president Bryan Monroe, who also is the vice president and editorial director for Ebony and Jet magazines in Chicago, said, referring to Imus: "Has he lost his mind? Those comments were beyond offensive. Imus needs to be fired. Today."

In a response given to The New York Times, Imus said people should relax and not worry about "some idiot comment meant to be amusing." He apologized Friday at 6:06 a.m. ET on his show.

"[I] want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team. It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, so, and we're sorry."

"We agree with Mr. Imus that this was, in his own words, an 'idiot comment,' " a Rutgers spokesperson said in a statement. "We are very proud of the success of the Rutgers women's basketball team. Coach [C. Vivian] Stringer and the Rutgers players are outstanding ambassadors for this great institution."