CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia football coach Al Groh apologized Wednesday for a comment that offended many people, including university President John Casteen.

On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Groh was told that several of his players had voiced concerns about flying to this weekend's game at Clemson (2-0).

The Cavaliers (1-1) travel by chartered jet, and Groh said they need not worry about a hijacking.

"I'm not saying this to make light of it by any means, but I'm not planning on having Arabs in the traveling party," Groh said. "So therefore I think probably that the threat of our being hijacked is pretty remote."

News of his comment spread, and the former coach of the NFL's New York Jets issued a written apology.

"I am sorry if my remarks were insensitive," Groh said. "I certainly did not mean to insinuate that millions of sensitive, God-fearing people of Arabic descent are terrorists."

"Like many American citizens, my emotions are near the surface after last week's tragedy, especially since 70 people in the town I lived in for four years, many of whom I know, are missing."

Casteen said he took Groh's "apology seriously, and I hope that others will also."

In the same release, athletic director Craig Littlepage said: "This is no time to inflame emotions. Unfortunately, Coach Groh's remark earlier today has had that unintended effect."