When I heard Jeff Fisher wore a Peyton Manning jersey while introducing former Colts coach Tony Dungy at a fundraiser Tuesday I laughed, thinking it was a funny gesture – but also shook my head knowing that inevitably some overly-sensitive fans would be offended.

Sure enough, later that day he was questioned about the move on his weekly radio show.

“It was for a very, very worthwhile cause, charity,” Fisher said. “I was introducing Tony, just having fun with it and I really apologize if I offended anybody, but if you’re offended over the nature of that type of thing, then I think you need to rethink things … This is a very worthwhile and needy benefit and I was honored to be there. … I’m sorry if I offended anybody but if I had to do it again, I would do it again.”

Perhaps the comment he made at the event – “I just wanted to feel like a winner” – is more what was found objectionable. Okay, I can see why Titans fans might be a little uptight about that. But come on – he’s an intelligent guy and a fantastic coach who found a way to poke fun at himself and his team during what has been a surprisingly disappointing season.

So what? I know fans take the game seriously. I’m one of them. But what’s he supposed to do? Take the gaspipe?

I thought it was great that he showed he has a sense of humor. And at the end of the day winning and losing a National Football Game pales in importance compared with many, many other things.

So give the guy a break. He’s letting loose during a tough season. He’s coming off a 13-3 campaign in 2008 and he’s earned the right to have a bad year mixed in once in awhile – and if the Titans and their fans no longer want him there will be 20 or so teams out there canning their own coaches at the end of the season to bring Fisher on board.