updated 4:40 p.m. ET Oct. 31, 2006

NEW YORK - Former NFL receiver Brian Kinchen will not work as an ESPNU commentator this week because of a comment he made during last Saturday’s broadcast of the Northern Illinois-Iowa game.

Kinchen was explaining the need for receivers to make catches with their hands because they are “tender” and can “caress” the ball. He then paused and said, “that’s kind of gay, but hey ...”

“The comments were inappropriate, and we apologize for them,” said ESPN’s vice president of public relations Josh Krulewitz.

Kinchen’s future with ESPNU is under review, Krulewitz said.

ESPN’s decision first was reported in The Des Moines Register.

Kinchen, a former tight end who played at LSU and in the NFL from 1988-00 with Miami, Cleveland and Baltimore, also apologized for his remarks.

“They were completely inappropriate and not at all a reflection of who I am or the way I perform my work,” Kinchen said in a statement issued by ESPN. “I have learned from my mistake and look forward to continuing my broadcasting career.”

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