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Caitlyn Jenner's ESPY Courage Award win is SLAMMED by victim in fatal car crash as she claims former Olympian ' still refuses to accept responsibility for taking a life'

I have the utmost respect for Caitlyn Jenner': Peter Berg backpedals after slamming her ESPY award with vile meme

Published: 11:02 EST, 16 July 2015 | Updated: 19:49 EST, 16 July 2015

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Peter Berg is backpedaling after attacking Caitlyn Jenner with a vile meme as she accepted her ESPY courage award.

On Thursday morning the director shared a split picture on Instagram; one of Bruce Jenner, the other of double amputee Colonel Gregory D. Gadson.

'One Man traded 2 legs for the freedom of the other to trade 2 balls for 2 boobs,' the caption read. 'Guess which Man made the cover of Vanity Fair, was praised for his courage by President Obama and is to be honored with the "Arthur Ashe Courage Award" by ESPN'?

Reverse: Peter Berg appeared to be backpedaling on Thursday after attacking Caitlyn Jenner with a vile meme as she accepted her ESPY courage award

Social media erupted in reaction - both supporting and slamming Berg's stance.

But on Thursday the 51-year-old seemed to backpedal, claiming that he wasn't attacking Caitlyn, but merely highlighting the fact that war vets do not get proportionate attention or respect.

'I have the utmost respect for Caitlyn Jenner and I am a strong supporter of equality and the rights of trans people everywhere,' he wrote in a subsequent Instagram post, beneath a picture claiming some 4,334 vets have committed suicide this year.

Opinionated: The 51-year-old shared this image on Thursday morning comparing the reality star to double amputee Colonel Gregory D. Gadson with the caption beginning 'One Man traded 2 legs for the freedom of the other to trade 2 balls for 2 boobs'

Opening up: Just hours earlier the 65-year-old former Olympian took the stage for a heartfelt speech

'I also believe that we don't give enough attention to our courageous returning war veterans, many of whom have sacrificed their bodies and mental health for our country and our principals- principals that include the freedom to live the life you want to live without persecution or abuse.'

Although Berg didn't create the original meme, he is very familiar with the subject matter. He cast Colonel Gadson in his first film role - Battleship - a film that he also recruited real US Navy sailors to man the ships.

The image itself was created by Facebook group Main Stream Media Sponsor Boycotts, who first shared the image on June 3.

But the director then uploaded another image, which tallied war vet suicides, insisting he he had the 'utmost respect for Caitlyn Jenner' and that he was just pointing out that vets do not get proportionate attention or respect

Just hours before the image was shared, Jenner was on stage giving a moving 10-munute speech in which she gave a heartfelt appeal on behalf of trans youth.

'Trans people deserve something vital,' she said. 'They deserve your respect.'

Her speech was preceded by a 15-minute video detailing her journey and featuring interviews with her mother Esther and model daughter Kendall that was narrated by Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

Close to his heart: Although Berg didn't create the original meme, he is very familiar with the subject matter; he cast Colonel Gadson in his first film role - Battleship

Real hero: Gadson, who lost both his legs in a roadside bomb in Baghdad, appeared in the film alongside Rihanna

She was presented with the honour by Abby Wambach, who is also an Olympic gold medalist, and was part of the US women's soccer team that won the World Cup earlier this month.

Berg was not alone in his slamming of the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star receiving the accolade given to sports-related people whose contributions transcend sports.

A few athletes and sports reporters were none-too-pleased about the honour including star NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith who seemingly questioned the former Olympian's merits on the athletic field.

The Baltimore Ravens player wrote: 'Unless I'm understanding this wrong Bruce Jenner is no more...It's Caitlin right? What Olympic medal has she won?'

Unless I'm understanding this wrong Bruce Jenner is no more...It's Caitlin right? What Olympic medal has she won? https://t.co/i6CLXC05h0
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) July 16, 2015

Yea.... im done watching the espys now
— Mike Bowie (@ThankGod2day) July 16, 2015

Insulting that #espn selects "Bruce" Jenner to win Arthur Ashe Courage Award w all the stories they have done on kids in sports w cancer
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 16, 2015

Bruce Jenner was selected 2 win Award because ESPY's switched 2 ABC and needed the ratings for the show. Embarrassed name of Arthur Ashe
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 16, 2015

I didn't think @ESPYS should've honored her with a courage award for making a choice, but Caitlyn Jenner's acceptance speech was 1st class
— Langston Wertz Jr. (@langstonwertzjr) July 16, 2015

Throughout the night several other viewers took to social media to share there thoughts questioning why she had been chosen for the award above other potential honorees.

Other tweets complained that ESPN had chosen Jenner simply for publicity reasons, while others implied that money was involved.

There were obvious outpours of positivity from several celebs including from Caitlyn's children and transgender actress LaVerne Cox who said the speech was 'deeply moving.'

Caitlyn Jenner's emotional ESPYs speech as she thanks family

Berg was not alone in his criticism as there were accusations on Twitter that ESPN chose to honor Jenner for publicity reasons

Some viewers were unhappy about the treatment of other honorees

Cynics complained about the juxtaposition of tributes and advertising for Jenner's upcoming reality show

'I feel like an historic moment happened for my community tonight. Thanx,' Laverne wrote to her combined 2.4M followers on social media.

Berg's emotional attachment to the armed forces is also apparent in his direction of Mark Wahlberg in military-biographical film Lone Survivor.

The 2013 feature film was the adapted story of real life Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and his team who set out on a mission to capture or kill Taliban leader Ahamad Shah.

'Love this. Go Caitlyn #TransIsBeautiful!' Laverne Cox tweeted that the two-time Olympic gold medalist's 13- minute acceptance speech was 'deeply moving'