Saucy skit embarrasses NFL

Owens was lured by Sheridan in the offending segment

NFL officials, still smarting over the Janet Jackson breast-baring "wardrobe malfunction" at this year's Super Bowl, have been upset by a racy pre-game television skit.

ABC have apologised for a suggestive segment in which Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens was seduced by Nicolette Sheridan, an actress on the network's new hit series 'Desperate Housewives'.

The scene, shown before Philadelphia's recent 49-21 rout of Dallas, shows Owens, in his team uniform, rebuffing locker room advances by Sheridan, clad only in a towel.

She then drops the towel and Owens says, "Aw hell, the team is going to have to win this one without me."

While there was no partial nudity, unlike in Jackson's Super Bowl show in February, the racy tone was too much for the NFL.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said: "ABC's opening was inappropriate and unsuitable for our 'Monday Night Football' audience.

"While ABC may have gained attention for one of its other shows, the NFL and its fans lost."

Owens told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the controversy was much ado about nothing.

"This is the same kind of stuff we see on soap operas every single day," he said.

"They sell products like milk with this kind of stuff... I really don't understand why this whole situation is being made into such a big problem."