Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson has defended his comments criticising the negativity of some of his side's fans.
A number of Bengals supporters voiced their displeasure at the team when they were 13-0 down against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, leading Johnson to tell the booing fans to be positive or "leave".
The comments prompted a backlash from some Bengals fans, but Johnson has defended his views, claiming that he merely wants to make it tougher for the visiting team rather than the home side.
"I was asked a question and I tried to answer it truthfully from the heart. Anybody who knows me knows that it's genuine. We're here to win; we want to win. Just as bad as it pains people watching the game when we don't do well, it hurts us 10 times more," Johnson told reporters.
"It just goes back to when you're kids. Everybody heard that 'If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all.' Being at home, I love playing at home. We're undefeated here this year.
"I love our fans. And they do a great job of being loud and making it tough on the other team. But that's who we want them to make it tough for: the other team."
The Bengals came back to win the match 41-20, strengthening their position at the top of the AFC North.
