Fox News’ host Shepard Smith, talking extemporaneously Monday night about the tragic suicide of the Oscar-winning actor/comedian, theorized about Williams’ state of mind, saying perhaps he felt like a coward.

“It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? You could love three little things so much, watch them grow, they’re in their mid-20s, and they’re inspiring you, and exciting you, and they fill you up with the kind of joy you could never have known,” Smith said. “And yet, something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide that you have to end it. Robin Williams, at 63, did that today.”

The host, normally a favorite of the internet, was called out for the remarks on Twitter, and later gave an explanation/apology in a conversation with Mediaite.

“I spent an entire hour talking about how much this man affected people’s lives and brought greatness to this world,” he said. “I was just wondering aloud what could have made this man want to end it all. And it reminds us that we all have responsibility as friends and neighbors to help take responsibility to prevent this from happening.”

Later, Smith said that he would be horrified if anyone — especially Williams’ family — heard him call the late actor a coward.

“To the core of my being, I regret it,” he added. “It just came out of my mouth. And I’m so sorry. And to anyone and their families who see that, I am sorry.”

Fox News’ Shepard Smith Apologizes for Suggesting Robin Williams’ Suicide Was Act of Cowardice