March 20, 2009, 1:08 pm

Obama Apologizes for Off-Key Quip

President Obama has apologized for his quip on ?The Tonight Show? on NBC Thursday comparing his modest bowling skills to those of athletes who have disabilities.

Chatting with Jay Leno, the president said he had been practicing at the White House bowling alley and rolled a 129. ?It was like the Special Olympics or something,? Mr. Obama said, perhaps also recalling his inept attempt at bowling in Altoona, Pa., during the presidential campaign.

The president called the chairman of the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, from Air Force One on his way back to Washington. ?He apologized in a way I think was very moving,? Mr. Shriver said on ABC?s ?Good Morning America? on Friday. Mr. Shriver said the president sounded ?very sincere? in voicing his desire not to add to anyone?s pain.

?Words hurt, words do matter,? added Mr. Shriver, son of the Special Olympics? founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of President John F. Kennedy, and R. Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps.

The White House clearly recognized the presidential slip at once, since Mr. Obama called Mr. Shriver even before the taped interview was broadcast. ?The President made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,? the deputy press secretary, Bill Burton, told reporters on Air Force One. ?He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.?