Peter Berg Semi-Apologizes for Slamming Caitlyn Jenner, Says He Was Just Supporting Vets

Caitlyn Jenner may have received two standing ovations from the audience at the ESPY Awards Wednesday night, but one prominent figure in the entertainment industry isn't applauding.

Peter Berg, who directed the film version of Friday Night Lights and created the television adaptation, shared a transphobic meme on his Instagram account Wednesday night, shortly after Jenner delivered her acceptance speech calling for greater understanding and acceptance of transgender people.

The meme shows a photo of Jenner from when she was still transitioning alongside a picture of Gregory D. Gadson, a U.S. Army veteran who is a double amputee. "One man traded 2 legs for the freedom of the other to trade 2 balls for 2 boobs. Guess which man made the cover of Vanity Fair, was praised for his courage by President Obama and is to be honored with the 'Arthur Ashe Courage Award' by ESPN?," the meme reads.

Watch Caitlyn Jenner's inspiring ESPYs speech

Gadson is now a motivational speaker and actor who appeared in Berg's film Battleship. Berg captioned the photo "Yup."

What do you think of Berg's post? Check it out here:

On Thursday, Berg tried to clarify his earlier hateful post by taking to Instagram again. In what amounts to a semi-apology, he insists he was not trying to insult Jenner when he called her a man who "trade(d) 2 balls for 2 boobs;" he was just trying to bring attention to the plight of veterans. OK.

His full statement: "I have the utmost respect for Caitlyn Jenner and I am a strong supporter of equality and the rights of trans people everywhere. I also believe that we don't give enough attention to our courageous returning war veterans, many of whom have sacrificed their bodies and mental health for our country and our principals- principals [sic] that include the freedom to live the life you want to live without persecution or abuse."