FOXBOROUGH, Mass – Jahlani Tavai had fans very upset on Friday due to some comments he made on the radio. 

The New England Patriots linebacker was asked about his reaction to the loud boos and 'fire Mayo' chants during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He admitted that he "told a fan to quiet down in a non-polite way," and even said that fans need to "know their place and just understand that it’s a work in progress."

Jerod Mayo said that he spoke with Tavai regarding this, but was going to "keep that in house."

And then, a few hours after he made the initial comments, Tavai spoke with reporters, further explaining what he meant. 

Here is everything Tavai told reporters on Friday afternoon:

Q: What was the conversation with Jerod like about the comments on WEEI?

“That’s between me and Jerod. That’s going to be internal. We definitely talked and we’re taking care of it.”

Q: What did you mean by the comments?

“It’s just frustration. It’s not the outcome that we wanted. It’s not the production that we wanted to put out there. I’m always going to defend my guys. That’s who I am and that’s who I’m always going to be for however many years the man above blesses me with. I’m always going to defend my people and that’s what it is.”

Q: Do you understand why fans took it the way they did?

“It is what it is. How did they take it?”

Q: Negatively. Fans were upset. They were pretty mad about it.

“We’re all frustrated. From what I’m hearing, I understand why they’re frustrated but that being said, there shouldn’t be anybody more frustrated than the guys who are out there busting their butt. I’m not here to listen to outside noise and especially during the game. If they’re fans, be fans, be supportive. They’ve supported us through worse seasons. But don’t be a critic. I’m not going to your job and telling you how you’re doing your job. I’m not that type of person. If you’re being a true fan – that’s why I’m saying support. We need the support that you all been giving us since Day 1. I’m not trying to tell anybody to change up what they want to do. That’s not what I’m trying to get out. I’m trying to say, I’m going to defend my guys – whether that’s a player, whether that’s a coach, or someone who’s out here busting their butt. That’s who I am.”

Q: What’s it been like playing for Jerod

“Since he’s been my coach, he’s been nothing but great. He’s consistent and that’s who he is. I always talk about this – his energy. He comes in whether we’re winning or losing. Whether we’re having a good time or not. He’s going to be consistent in who he is and that’s what I respect out of Mayo.”

Q: Is it fair people are calling for Mayo to be fired after only one season?

“I’m going to repeat this quote every time this comes up. Rome wasn’t built in one day. If we want to compare, if that’s what people want to some the production, I’ve talked earlier about the Lions. There’s plenty of other teams out there that can do it and I hope to God we’re one of those teams that can show it soon. The Lions – what were they their first year under Dan?”

Q: 3-13-1

“Ok, second year what were they?”

Q: Closer to .500

“No, they were still in a losing season. Now what are they? This year now what are they? They are damn near – everyone is talking about Super Bowl. I’m not comparing us to nobody but there’s evidence that shows that shit can change. Internally when I say that guys got to look in the mirror, myself included, so when we look ourselves in the mirror, we recognize what we need to fix, come Buffalo, that’s what we’re trying to show. After Buffalo, we have a whole offseason to reflect. Whatever happens, happens. That’s above my pay grade. If I get the opportunity to come back here, I want to make sure I bust my balls to do what we’re trying to do and that’s win.

“To anybody who was offended, that’s not who I am. What I am is a guy who is going to defend his brothers. Anybody who is my co-worker or comes to this facility, I’m going to have their back. I’m sure if somebody who is listening right now if somebody came into their house and did the same thing and talked about their family and people they worked with, they’ll act some type of way too. That’s it. So if that clears up a lot of stuff, and if people still don’t like it, then whatever. It is what it is.”

Q: How do you expect fans to react on Sunday?

“I’m not trying to get a reaction. I’m trying to show that we are frustrated too. I don’t like being a loser. I fucking hate to lose. I’m frustrated, too. I’m not trying to poke buttons and stuff against the fans. I’m just going to be real. I’m going to say what I’m saying — I’m defending my own. That’s it. Are you going to let somebody come talk to your all peoples like that? No. If that clears it up, that clears it up. I’m not trying to step on toes. What I said is what I said. I apologize to anybody whose feelings got hurt. But I’m going to defend my own.”