In an explosive radio interview with Mix 92.7 FM on Queensland's Sunshine Coast today, the former three-time premiership player said the public outpouring of sympathy and grief at the passing of Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, was "overkill.''
Stynes has been lauded as an inspirational player on and off the field, recognised for his youth work with the Reach Foundation.
He will be honoured at a state funeral in Melbourne on Tuesday, before his ashes are returned to Ireland.
Melbourne’s Brad Green tweeted "Aker, you are a tosser!!! Show respect", Carlton’s Brock McLean said "Jason Akermanis... Show some respect. Regardless of how you feel, never speak ill of the dead.
Lowest of lows." Richmond legend Matthew Richardson said "I think Aker may have finally done his dash. #low"
Stunned by the reaction Akermanis told Melbourne’s Herald Sun that he had been taken out of context.
"People die all the time,” he said.
"I saw my mum die of cancer in the exact same way and she was as human as anybody else. Jimmy dying is sad, but give me a break. My mum was great lady too but she wasn't pure.
"Jim was a human being like anybody else full of good things and bad things.”
"I'm not bagging the guy, I'm just saying he was a human being.”
Akermanis said he admired Stynes competitiveness as a player.
"When I knew him he was competitive and nasty and brutal. He wanted to win and would do anything to do it.
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