Sports briefs for November 18, 2004

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004 | 10:45 a.m.

Owens apologizes for MNF opening

Terrell Owens apologized today to anyone offended by his role in a steamy segment with actress Nicollette Sheridan for the intro to "Monday Night Football."

"I felt like it was clean, the organization felt like it was a clean skit and I think it just really got taken out of context with a lot of people and I apologize for that," Owens said. "Personally I didn't think it would have offended anyone and, if it did, I apologize."

ABC and the Eagles also apologized this week, with the team saying they wished the segment "hadn't aired."

The opening, which has generated complaints to ABC and the Federal Communications Commission, showed Sheridan wearing only a towel and provocatively asking Owens to skip the game for her as the two stood alone in a locker room. She drops the towel and jumps into Owens' arms.

Owens had no idea the intro would create such a backlash.

"I thought it was a fun skit and that was it," Owens said.

Owens, a flashy player known for his outrageous touchdown celebrations, seemed to believe the skit was generating controversy because of his participation, not because of simulated nudity.

"Anything I get involved with, I'm obviously a target," he said. "It happened."

Sprinters charged

Greek sprint stars Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou and their coach, Christos Tzekos, were charged today with avoiding a drug test on the eve of the Athens Olympics and faking a motorcycle accident hours later. The coach was also charged with illegally importing and selling banned substances and 12 others -- including seven doctors at the state-run hospital where the sprinters were treated after the alleged motorcycle crash -- were charged with false statements.

UNLV signs 10

UNLV coach Buddy Gouldsmith announced the signing of 10 recruits for 2005-06. Included were catcher Michael Brenly, a son of former major league catcher Bob Brenly, and pitcher Kelby Aase, a son of former major league pitcher Don Aase.

Horses seized

An arrest warrant was issued for trainer Glenn Hild after 17 thoroughbreds were removed from a farm near Little Rock, Ark., on the grounds that the horses were abused and malnourished. Hild, 68, has had stalls at Oaklawn Park since the 1970s.