Minn. gov sorry for comparing NFL players to vets

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has apologized for comparing NFL players in trouble with the law to returning war veterans.

The first-term Democrat said Thursday that he made a poor analogy when he used the comparison in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio.

In that interview, Dayton theorized on the troubles of professional football players, including Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and said football was "basically slightly civilized war."

Spokeswoman Katie Tinucci said Dayton had heard from some constituents on the comments and regretted the comparison when he looked back on what he said.

Updated July 19, 2012