Sorry Owens wants second chance

Owens publicly criticised the Eagles and team-mate McNabb

Wide receiver Terrell Owens has apologised to his Philadelphia Eagles team-mates and the team's fans for the comments that led to his suspension.

After criticising the Eagles and his team-mates in an interview with ESPN, Owens was suspended for four games.

Eagles coach Andy Reid then told reporters on Monday that the star would not play again this season.

But on Tuesday, Owens said: "This is very painful for me. It really hurts not to be part of this team anymore."

Owens is considered to be the best wide receiver in the league but the Eagles have made it clear they are content to let him go after his ESPN interview.

It was very painful for me not to be there with you against the Redskins and it is even more painful that I won't be there the rest of the season Terrell Owens

The 31-year-old accused the team of not recognising his 100th career touchdown, which he scored on 23 October against San Diego.

"They claim to be first class and the best organisation. It's an embarrassment - it just shows a lack of class they have," said Owens.

He also criticised Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and suggested the team would be better off with Green Bay Packers star Brett Favre as quarterback.

These comments prompted Reid to announce that Owen would not play for the team again this season.

"This decision is the result of a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time," he said.

"Terrell was warned about the consequences of his actions. We gave him every opportunity to avoid this."

Owens issued an apology after his suspension was announced, but this was considered to be too little too late by the rest of the team.

But his latest apology, given outside his home to a legion of reporters, went much further.

He assured both McNabb and Reid that he respected them and said: "I apologise for any comments that may have been negative."

We're focused exclusively on Terrell playing for the Philadelphia Eagles ASAP - we would like to practise tomorrow Drew Rosenhaus Owens' agent

Owens, who helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl last February, missed Sunday's 17-10 loss at Washington.

"I want everyone to know football is my passion. I have always given it my all," he said.

"It was very painful for me not to be there with you against the Redskins and it is even more painful that I won't be there the rest of the season."

After reading his statement, Owens let his agent Drew Rosenhaus handle the media's questions.

"Terrell has expressed a great deal of remorse," Rosenhaus said.

"In his heart he gave everything he had in being genuine and sincere. Apparently that wasn't good enough.

"People obviously didn't accept the first (apology). That's unfortunate. That's not Terrell's fault.

"We hope he plays again for the Philadelphia Eagles. We hope he plays right away, against the Dallas Cowboys (next Monday).

Owens celebrates his 100th career touchdown in customary style

"Players in the NFL are arrested and violate the NFL rules on substance abuse and are not suspended as long as Terrell has been."

Asked about looking for another team, Rosenhaus said: "We're focused exclusively on Terrell playing for the Philadelphia Eagles ASAP. We would like to practise tomorrow."

Asked how Owens could make that happen, Rosenhaus said: "We're taking steps. I can't get into any details. He will be playing in the future. He wants to be an Eagle."

Owens has often been in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Eagles punish controversial Owens

He was sent home from training camp for one week in the summer after a heated argument with Reid.

Owens then caused further disharmony by trying to renegotiate his seven-season, £28m contract, just a year after signing from the San Francisco 49ers.

The wide receiver was banned by the 49ers in 2000 for his controversial touchdown celebration in Dallas, which ignited a skirmish between the two teams.