The Patriots’ radio color commentator apologized Sunday after he was criticized for suggesting quarterback Cam Newton was distracted by rap music at practice last week.

“That’s something I know that’s drawn attention for being racially insensitive,” Scott Zolak, who was a backup quarterback for the Patriots in the 1990s, said before New England beat the Giants in the preseason finale Sunday night. “I’m sorry for that comment. I didn’t need to make that comment.”

Zolak, who is white, said he has since cleared the air with Newton, who is black.

“Cam’s nothing but class,” Zolak said.

Appearing on a Boston radio station last week, Zolak suggested Newton “turn off the rap music because I think it’s distracting for Cam here. Because in between every throw he’s dancing.”

But when it came to Mac Jones, the Patriots rookie quarterback who is white, the 53-year-old Zolak said, “He’s here to work.”

The 32-year-old Newton, who was named MVP in 2015 while with the Panthers, is expected to be named the Patriots starter over Jones for Week 1.