Brandon Spikes, defending himself on Twitter

FOXBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes said he was just joking when he sent out a tweet that some are calling offensive.

Spikes responded to the controversy last night, tweeting:

"I guess I could walk on egg shells but I’d rather throw them at people with no sense of humor. #freethinker”

That tweet was in response to the backlash he's received from a Wednesday night tweet, where he said:

"I’m homophobic just like I’m arachnophobic. I have nothing against homosexuals or spiders, but I’d still scream if I found one in my bathtub."

Spikes' teammates were asked about the issue.

“I don't twit, tweet...I could care less what people say on there,” said Logan Mankins, Patriots offensive lineman.

“You think that kind of thing is appropriate when you're a role model? When you’re a role model, no. Kids look up to you,” said Zoltan Mesko, Patriots punter.

Spikes gathered more than 1,000 new followers since that first tweet.

The Patriots’ management said the matter will be handled internally.