updated 7:15 p.m. ET June 2, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO - The 49ers’ public relations director made just the kind of offensive gaffe he’d preached to the team’s football players about avoiding.

An in-house video meant to prepare players for being in the public eye and dealing with the media featured racist jokes, lesbian soft-porn and topless blondes — and even a scene of the well-liked PR chief Kirk Reynolds impersonating San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, taped right in the mayor’s office.

Reynolds, who called it a “terrible mistake,” is suddenly on his way out of the organization. He denies his resignation was related to the video, except to have speeded it up. He said he had already told the team he planned to depart to explore other interests.

“I’m more sorry than anybody,” he said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “My intention was to deliver a message important to our team. Certainly the execution and my decision-making were way out of line. I deeply regret it.”

Reynolds said he made the video to coach players on handling media questions in diverse San Francisco — and never meant it for public consumption. The 15-minute film was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The video was shown to players during training camp last August as part of a diversity workshop.

“I certainly offended people, and I never intended to offend anybody,” Reynolds said. “Anybody who knows me, that’s not a reflection of who I am. I did something for a certain audience that got out of hand. ... I completely apologize to anybody who was offended.”

Lisa Poole / AP San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, shown in a file photo from earlier this year, strongly criticized a 49ers training video, which was partially shot in his office.

The mayor and the city’s gay leaders are among those furious with the video.

Newsom said the tape wronged the Asian and gay communities and exploited the women who appeared. In the future, the mayor’s staff will insist on knowing the the content of an entire video when it grants requests for filming inside City Hall, aide Peter Ragone said.

Team owners Denise and John York on Wednesday called the video offensive, inexcusable and “absolutely contradictory to the ideals and values of the San Francisco 49ers.”

“Ostensibly, the video was created to raise player awareness about how to deal with the media and to demonstrate by example how poor conduct can unintentionally make news,” the Yorks’ statement said. “Unfortunately, this video is an example in itself.”

Reynolds opens the film sitting behind the mayor’s desk, then goes to Chinatown, where a 49ers team consultant uses racial slurs. Next comes a topless, lesbian wedding filmed at a strip club and officiated by Reynolds, again impersonating the mayor.

“I know the courts say we can’t do this,” Reynolds says before the happy couple engages in heavy petting. “We make our own rules here in San Francisco.”

Reynolds then goes to SBC Park, where acting as “mayor” he throws out the opening pitch, then takes a bribe from the catcher, who thanks him for supporting “hookers and booze.”

“You do something controversial, you say something controversial, it will have an impact on this team. So remember, be mindful of your actions,” Reynolds says, wearing only a towel before joining three topless blondes for a group hug.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Brady vs. Manning — who has the edge? Cimini: Patriots-Colts greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Playing 'what if?' with Peyton's career PFT: Raiders' Davis reportedly wants to fire Cable Eagles-Bears matchup will remain Sunday night game PFT: Rest of league is catching up to Broncos PFT: Tomlinson hints at retiring after this season PFT: Ex-Packer Brown rips McCArthy PFT: Browns' Mangini knew about Quinn's incentives NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: