Lions' Glover Quin defends 'God' comment concerning Jordy Nelson's injury

— -- ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin defended himself Tuesday after his comment about the injury to Packers receiver Jordy Nelson and the will of God caused a backlash in social media.

Quin, when asked Monday about Nelson's injury, said he respected Nelson and hated to see him hurt. But as part of the answer, Quin also said "God had meant for Jordy to be hurt." The comment was part of a bigger answer on what Quin believes about how and why injuries happen.

Quin clarified his comment Tuesday, saying he didn't believe he said anything that would have caused a backlash, but "obviously, it upset a whole bunch of people."

Among those who reacted to Quin's comments were Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who retweeted a comment from Brian Baumgartner, an actor from the TV show "The Office," about Quin's comments.

On Tuesday, Quin repeated that he did not want Nelson to get hurt.

"I don't mean that God particularly said 'I want to take Jordy Nelson out,'" Quin said. "I'm not saying all that. I just believe that what is meant to be will be, regardless. That's just how I feel about it."

Nelson is out for the season after sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday that the Packers receiver suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Quin said people don't have to believe what he believes, and have their own beliefs. He also said God is bigger than football and the game is about growth and learning from injuries, and winning and losing.

Quin's comments Monday came as he responded to questions about Nelson's injury and possible changes to the preseason schedule. Quin said injuries could happen any time, not just the preseason.

"I feel like injuries are going to happen, same way Jordy got hurt," Quin said Monday. "I hate that Jordy got hurt, but in my belief and the way that I believe, it was God had meant for Jordy to get hurt. If he wouldn't have got hurt today, if he wouldn't have played in that game, if he wouldn't have practiced anymore and the next time he walked on the field would have been opening day, I feel like he would have got hurt opening day.

"In that sense, now they got three weeks to make adjustments and prepare before opening day as opposed to it happening opening day and now you're in the season and now Jordy gets hurt. It happened in the preseason and you hate that it happened but it gives them to make adjustments."

Lions coach Jim Caldwell had no issues with Quin's comments, and said they were taken out of context.

"What I think is, I think the young man did a very good job of explaining himself thoroughly," Caldwell said. "It just so happened that a few people decided to make the headlines a little bit more explosive, and if they would have taken what he said into context and written it as such, it wouldn't be such a big issue."