UPDATE (Aug. 5): TCU coach Gary Patterson apologized on his personal Twitter account for using a racial slur in front of players over the weekend. 

"I apologize for the use of a word that, in any context, is unacceptable," Patterson wrote in the statement. "I have always encouraged our players to do better and be better and I must live by the same standard." 

TCU linebacker Dylan Jordan alleged that Patterson confronted him over using the slur in team meeting rooms, but used the slur in question while doing it. In response, members of TCU's defense stayed back from practice on Monday and addressed it with him. 

Many players came to Patterson's defense on social media, claiming that while he used the word, it wasn't directed towards Jordan and that media was taking it out of context. Later, offensive lineman Kellton Hollins said team leaders spoke to Patterson about the significance of what he said, which Patterson confirmed. 

"I met with our Seniors and Leadership Council last night about how we move forward as a team, together," Patterson wrote. "We are committed as individuals and as a program to fighting racial injustice of any kind."

Original story: TCU linebacker Dylan Jordan alleges that head coach Gary Patterson used a racial slur during an altercation at practice on Sunday. 

According to Jordan’s statement, which he posted to his personal Twitter account, Patterson confronted Jordan for posting a picture of his girlfriend on social media to celebrate “National Girlfriend Day,” saying Jordan should have asked Patterson for permission to post the picture. Then, Patterson complained that Jordan used a racial slur in the locker room, and used the slur in question. 

Then, Jordan says members of the TCU defense refused to go to practice on Monday morning in protest. When Patterson came to speak to the players in the locker room, Jordan alleges he used the racial slur again while discussing it. 

The allegation first came to light after former TCU safety Niko Small tweeted this morning that a TCU coach used the racial slur in front of players this weekend. Small later deleted the tweet, but said he stood behind the message. 

However, several TCU players have come to Patterson’s defense and claimed that while he used the racial slur, it was not directed at a player. Tight end Artayvious Lynn said that Patterson told players to stop using the racial slur, while using the racial slur in the process. Defensive back Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson said that no one was called the word; Lynn responded to a tweet below and clarified that Patterson said the word, but that it was not directed at Jordan.

Lynn also claimed that the team confronted Patterson over his use of the word in any context and skipped practice for that reason. However, Jordan was still unsatisfied with Patterson’s response after the fact. 

Later, offensive lineman Kellton Hollins said the player leadership council spoke to Patterson about the incident to de-fuse the situation with positive results. 

"Coach P understands the significance of what he said," Hollins said in the tweet. "Regardless of the context, the word is unacceptable to use but even more so in today's climate." 

The situation appears similar to that of Clemson assistant Danny Pearman, who publicly apologized for using a racial slur multiple times on the practice field while telling a player not to say it. Pearman remains on staff at Clemson. 

TCU has not responded to request for comment at this time.

This story will be updated.