NFL Coach Calls 'Desperate Housewives' Skit Racially Offensive
Colts Coach Says Segment Played Off Stereotypes Of Black Athletes
November 18, 2004
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has joined those criticizing
the introduction to this week's "Monday Night Football" game on ABC,
saying the steamy skit that featured an NFL player and an actress was racially offensive.
The skit showed "Desperate Housewives" actress Nicollette Sheridan, wearing
only a towel, provocatively asking Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens to skip the
game for her as the two stood alone in a locker room.
Sheridan, who is white, drops the towel and jumps into the arms of Owens, who is black.
Dungy was not impressed.
"I thought it hit at a lot of stereotypes toward athletes -- black athletes in particular,"
Dungy, who is black, said Wednesday. "I thought it was very insensitive on the heels
of the Kobe Bryant situation, and I just don't know that the Eagles (public relations) people
or the NFL would have let it go had it been a different player or a coach or an owner."
The segment, which preceded Philadelphia's game against the Dallas Cowboys, drew complaints
from viewers and the NFL. ABC Sports apologized for using the introduction to promote
"Desperate Housewives."
The Federal Communications Commission said it will review complaints and decide whether
to open an investigation that could result in a fine against the network.
Dungy said the skit "took some shots" at the football profession and was in
"really bad taste."
"If that's what we have to do to get ratings, I prefer not to get them. I know ratings pay
our salary and that type of thing, but -- I can't speak for everybody -- I'd take a pay cut if it
means we don't have to do that to get paid."
Dungy said stereotypes exploited during the segment included the notion that athletes are sexual
predators.
"That a guy was more concerned with that than the game, that's a terrible message to
send," Dungy said. "I'm particularly sensitive to that. It could have been any player
and I would have been outraged, but being an African-American, it particularly hurt me."
Reactions Among NFL Players Vary
In Philadelphia, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb wasn't quite as vocal, saying he didn't find
the segment offensive and believed people were overreacting.
"Some people do different things," McNabb said. "Not saying that my wife would
allow me to do that, but it's just something that was done, and you move on."
Owens wasn't at practice Wednesday, excused for what the team said were personal reasons.
Some players were shocked at the skit.
"My mouth dropped when I saw that," said Washington Redskins tight end Mike Sellers,
who was watching the game with his wife.
But at least one of Sellers' teammates wasn't bothered.
"I thought it was kind of cool, myself," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "I
enjoyed the skit."
© Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. 2004. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.local10.com/entertainment/3928982/detail.html