(AP) – Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew says he never meant to take a shot at Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler or question his toughness.

The Jacksonville standout tells The Associated Press his tweet comparing Cutler to former Florida coach Urban Meyer was merely a joke — one that clearly backfired.

Jones-Drew says he was rooting for Cutler and the Bears in Sunday’s NFC championship game, and when Cutler left in the third quarter, Jones-Drew thought it was the perfect time to poke fun at the Gators.

“Hey I think the urban meyer rule is effect right now… When the going gets tough……..QUIT,” Jones-Drew posted on his Twitter page.

Jones-Drew has received death threats and plenty of ill will from Bears’ fans. The Bears have also defended Cutler, who was diagnosed with sprained MCL on Monday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)