FORMER footballer Jason Akermanis has tonight been forced to issue a lengthy apology following his controversial comments on radio about the late Jim Stynes.

After bringing himself into further controversy by questioning on Queensland radio why Stynes will have a state funeral on Tuesday, Akermanis this evening said he "feels terrible" about his comments.

In a prepared statement issued last night he said:

"Firstly, I want to apologise wholeheartedly for my inappropriate words this morning, regarding Jim Stynes. I am truly sorry for the ill feeling I have caused.

"In reality, my feelings are quite the opposite and I just didn't express my thoughts, feelings and words very well.

"I deeply apologise to the Stynes family, the public and everyone involved with Jim throughout his life. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my true thoughts, and I hope that you will forgive my stupidity."

His comments over AFL legend Stynes forced a massive backlash.

Hours earlier he told Adelaide radio FIVEaa that: "I can't say sorry enough. It's not the way I feel. I made a big error.

"I said it - and I take responsibility for it. Sometimes you have to be clearer on what you say. I was talking about (Stynes) in 2000 and I should have said that and been clearer.

"I should not have said the word nasty. I'm sorry I did not explain myself well, and for offending anyone.

"I understand the insensitivity - and I should have known better."

The apology comes after Akermanis defended himself after an explosive radio interview with Mix 92.7 FM on Queensland's Sunshine Coast yesterday, in which he said the public outpouring of sympathy and grief at the passing of Stynes was "overkill''.

He has been sacked from the radio show but says he would have quit the show anyway, adding the "$100 a week was not worth it".

Akermanis told breakfast hosts Mark Darin and Caroline Hutchinson that Stynes "was a nasty man in his day. He had a nice turn of phrase and he made sure you knew how he felt".

"What amazes me is yes, he was a legend of the game and did a great job and wonderful things with kids, but you know there are a bunch of people who have done just as much who don't get any recognition. I just think it's a bit out of kilter.

"He got a state funeral - do all football players get a state funeral? There's something about it all that just made me feel uncomfortable. Jim's good, but is he that good?''

The family of Jim Stynes slammed the loudmouth footy star, saying his comments were appalling, ill-informed and could not have come at a worse time.

A spokesman for the family said today Stynes could never have been defined as a nasty person.

"Jim was often strong-willed and self-determined ... not nasty, but hard," he said.

"He had been running in the game of life since he was 14 and he didn't stop until he was 45. As a consequence he was a self-made man.

"I don't think anybody could define him as a nasty person."

The spokesman said the explosive comments from Akermanis could not have come at a worse time for the family, which is preparing for Stynes' funeral on Tuesday.

"The timing of his comments is pretty appalling.

"But in this situation, Jim would be the first person to get on the phone to Jason Akermanis and say, 'Mate, let's go have a beer or come to the footy and let's have a chat', which is the mark of a man.

"He was a hard Irishman but he was genuinely compassionate person."

Stynes, who died on Tuesday after a battle with cancer, has been lauded as an inspirational player on and off the field, recognised for his youth work with the Reach Foundation.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Akermanis said his earlier comments on radio had been misconstrued.

He said he understood the emotional pain of losing somebody to cancer, but that didn't mean those lost should be treated as saints.

"People die all the time,'' he said.

"I saw my mum die of cancer in the exact same way and she was as human as anybody else. Jimmy dying is sad, but give me a break. My mum was great lady too but she wasn't pure.

"Jim was a human being like anybody else full of good things and bad things.

"I'm not bagging the guy, I'm just saying he was a human being.''

Akermanis said one of Stynes' greatest qualities was his competitiveness.

"When I knew him he was competitive and nasty and brutal. He wanted to win and would do anything to do it.

"That's the quality I admired the most about him.''

His comments attracted a barrage of criticism on Twitter with current and past players taking him to task.

Melbourne player and former captain Brad Green tweeted "Aker, you are a tosser!!! Show respect", while former Melbourne, now Carlton player Brock McLean said "Jason Akermanis... Show some respect. Regardless of how you feel, never speak ill of the dead. Lowest of lows."

Richmond legend Matthew Richardson said "I think Aker may have finally done his dash. #low"

Akermanis was making his season debut on the station, part of the Southern Cross Austereo network.

The controversial AFL star will appear in the upcoming series of Celebrity Apprentice Australia on Channel 9 to air next month.

A Brownlow medalist, Akermanis is known for his outrageous opinions and shock of peroxide hair.

He hit the headlines for clashing with his Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews, with the club and senior playing group voting unanimously in 2006 to axe him from their roster.

He began his AFL career playing for the Brisbane Bears, retiring in 2009 - again mired in controversy - after parting company with the Western Bulldogs.

In 2010, he was attacked for a Herald Sun column in which he urged gay players to stay in the closet.

He wrote: "Locker room nudity and homoerotic activities are normal inside footy clubs,'' but advised young "gay'' players who are "thinking of telling the world [about their sexual orientation to] forget it.''

The story went global, with Akermanis clarifying his comments - and inflaming the outcry - on Nine's Today show.

"The homoeroticism around football clubs ... what workplace would you be able to see 20 men nude all the time if you wanted to? When you're slapping blokes on the bum and just having a bit of fun, what would that do to a man in there when you actually work out, 'Oh wait a second, wait a second. I don't know if I can handle that guy".