THE SIDELINES : Underwear Ads ‘Flattered’ Esiason

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason says he was flattered, not embarrassed, to be featured in a national advertising campaign for underwear.

The ads, showcasing Hanes underwear, are to run this summer and fall in nationwide print and television ads. The television commercials feature the 28-year-old quarterback in briefs only, while the print ads show him in briefs and T-shirt.

“My first reaction to all this was that I was very flattered,” Esiason told the Cincinnati Post for a story published today. “It was a little embarrassing at times, sitting around on the set for two days in just briefs while the ads were being shot. But they’re done in very good taste and, on the whole, it was a very enjoyable experience.”