Bill Romanowski: I'M NOT RACIST ... I Loved 'Good Times'

Ex-NFL star Bill Romanowski says he honestly had no idea the term "boy" could be used as a racial slur -- and says he apologizes to Cam Newton from the bottom of his heart.

Romanowski joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" show (airing Monday at 9 PM PT on FS1) -- and we asked him straight up about the tweet that many people condemned as racist.

The tweet in question -- Bill had tweeted to Cam Newton, "The world doesn't revolve around you, boy!"

Bill says he takes full responsibility for using the word -- and addresses Chad Johnson who had tweeted -- "Boy? You never watched Good Times Bill?"

There's A LOT more -- make sure to catch it all on "TMZ Sports" ... weeknights on FS1.