Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says he regrets wearing Confederate uniform in college yearbook

In this 1980 Auburn University yearbook photo, released by the office of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Lee is pictured in a Confederate states costume while attending the university. (Office of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee via AP)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he regrets dressing in a Confederate uniform for an "Old South" fraternity party at Auburn University, as seen in a 1980 yearbook photo.

"While I never intentionally acted in an insensitive way, with 40 years of hindsight, I have come to realize that was insensitive and have come to regret that," the Republican governor told The Tennessean.

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A spokeswoman for Lee confirmed on Thursday that Auburn's 1980 yearbook includes a photo of the governor and another man in Confederate uniforms.

Lee was 17 when joined the university's Kappa Alpha fraternity. The fraternity ended the tradition in 1992, a school spokesman said.

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His office declined to provide any additional comment on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.