Rick Sanchez Issues Apology for 'Inartful' Comments

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez said his controversial comments last week "should not have been made." The statement comes after Sanchez personally apologized to comedian Jon Stewart. "I sincerely extend this apology to anyone else whom I may have offended," the statement reads.

While Sanchez has remained out of the public spotlight since his outburst, his wife Suzanne Sanchez, has been updating the public via her Facebook profile.  "Rick apologized to Jon Stewart today." They had a good talk. Jon was gracious and called Rick 'thin-skinned.' He's right," she wrote.

"Rick feels horrible that in an effort to make a broader point about the media, his exhaustion from working 14 hour days for 2 months straight caused him to mangle his thought process inartfully [sic]," she added.  "He got... caught up in the banter and deeply apologizes to anyone who was offended by his unintended comments."

In his statement, Sanchez stressed that he is "opposed to hate and intolerance" and boasts of his own record in speaking out against prejudice.  He echoes his wife's comments about his"exhaustion," describing his "bigot" comment aimed at Stewart and assumptions about Jews working in the media "tired and mangled words" that were "never intended to suggest any sort of narrow-mindedness and should never have been made."

He also leaves much open to interpretation, including the terms by which he leaves CNN, simply stating that he and the cable network "have decided to part ways."

"I want to go on record to say that I have nothing but the highest regard for CNN and for my six wonderful years with them. I appreciate every opportunity that they have given me, and it has been a wonderful experience working for them. I have tremendous respect for everyone there, and I know that they feel the same about me. There are no hard feelings – just excitement about a new future of opportunities," he says.

Sanchez concluded with a plug for his new book, Conventional Idiocy, and says he will continue to promote it "in the hopes of broadening the discussion to get a better understanding between all Americans, regardless of race, creed or religion."