49ers' Patrick Willis apologizes for comments on Matt Millen

After criticizing NFL analyst Matt Millen during a radio appearance on Monday, San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis apologized on Tuesday.

During an appearance on 95.7 The Game on Monday, Millen said he'd never seen Willis and linebacker NaVorro Bowman play worse together than they did on Sunday in a 26-3 loss to the New York Giants. Willis, appearing on the same station later in the day, was critical of Millen when he heard the comments.

"Whoever this Matt Millen guy is, I'd like to ask him if he could do what we do every day and do what we do for 16 games a year and see if he can hold up every game," Willis said, according to CSN Bay Area. "I doubt he would. I doubt he would be able to consistently play at a high level as Bowman and I do. I really don't care about what this guy has to say."

On Tuesday, Willis apologized for those comments:

"A lot of times I don't just come off and have a lot to say about anything anybody has to say," Willis said. "It was kind of emotional, especially coming off that game. I probably said some things I probably wouldn't ordinarily say. So apologize for those things. I have all the respect in the world for those guys who've played this game before me and played at a high level."

Millen played 12 seasons at linebacker in the NFL, winning three Super Bowl rings and making one Pro Bowl appearance. Despite apologizing, Willis said he did not think the 49ers defense played as badly as some said they did. He noted they had success early in the game, but failed to finish.

Willis also said the defense could have made similar mistakes in a win, but would not have been criticized. Willis and the 49ers will look to get back on track on Thursday when they host division rival Seattle.