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Terrell OwensForward for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
Date of Birth: 07.12.1973
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and College Career
- NFL Career
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Dallas Cowboys
- Personal Life and Controversies
- Spitting Incident
Early Life and College Career
Terrell Eldorado Owens was born on December 7, 1973, in Alexander City, Alabama, to Marilyn Heard and L.C. Russell. Owens grew up with three siblings and was raised by his mother and grandmother. Despite his grandmother initially prohibiting him from participating in sports, Owens' passion for football (and sports in general) was undeniable. At Benjamin Russell High School, he excelled in football, baseball, basketball, and track, setting several school records in Alabama.
Upon enrolling at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Owens initially pursued basketball and track. However, he dedicated himself to football, wearing jersey #80 in honor of his idol, Jerry Rice. While he was not a standout athlete at first, Owens had a breakout sophomore season, catching 39 passes for 724 yards and eight touchdowns. He continued to improve, catching 32 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. Facing double coverage every week in his senior year, Owens totaled 43 receptions for 666 yards and one touchdown.
NFL Career
San Francisco 49ersOwens made his NFL debut with the San Francisco 49ers in 1996. In the 1997 NFL season, Owens and quarterback Steve Young helped the team win 13 games. The following year, Owens had a standout performance against the Green Bay Packers, scoring the game-winning touchdown in a 30-27 victory. The 49ers struggled in the 1999 season, going 4-12. Young retired in 1999, and Jeff Garcia took over as quarterback.
Despite the team's 6-10 record in 2000, Owens had a memorable game on December 17, 2000, when he caught 20 passes for 283 yards against the Chicago Bears, breaking the record held by Thomas Fears. The 49ers finished with a 12-4 record in 2001, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Success was hindered by feuds between Owens, Garcia, and head coach Steve Mariucci.
The 2003 season was lackluster for the 49ers, leading Owens to pursue a trade away from the team. After his departure, he gave an interview to Playboy magazine, debunking rumors that Garcia was gay.
Philadelphia Eagles
On December 19, 2004, while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Owens suffered a broken leg. However, skeptics were silenced when he returned ahead of schedule and had a strong performance, catching nine passes for 122 yards.
In April 2005, Owens announced that he had hired a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and would be seeking a contract extension with the Eagles. The relationship became strained, and Owens was eventually suspended without pay for four games and the rest of the season after expressing his dissatisfaction with his contract and criticizing the team's front office, players, and coaching staff.
Dallas Cowboys
After the Eagles suspended him, Owens signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Following the Cowboys' 38-28 victory against the Atlanta Falcons, Owens injured a tendon in his finger. On March 1, 2007, he underwent two surgeries to repair the damage to his right ring finger.
On December 22, 2007, during Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Owens scored his 15th touchdown of the season, setting a new single-season record for him. He finished the season with 81 catches, 15 touchdowns, and 1,355 yards.
He played with the Cowboys through 2008, and in May 2009, stated that he wanted to retire as a Cowboy and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, his five Pro Bowl selections and future induction into the Hall of Fame leave open the possibility that he could continue playing.
Personal Life and Controversies
On September 27, 2006, Dallas media outlets reported that Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on painkillers. A police report filed the night of September 26 confirmed this, stating that Owens' publicist Kim Etheridge pulled two dihydrocodeinone pills from his mouth and called 911. Owens was taken to the hospital.
However, Owens' publicist later claimed that Owens had only suffered an allergic reaction, and several words in the police report were redacted, including "attempted suicide by pain pills" and "overdose of pills." Owens was released from the hospital on September 27. At a press conference following the incident, he denied making any suicidal statements and claimed he had not been depressed.
Spitting Incident
During a game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 16, 2006, Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall alleged that Owens had spit in his face. Owens admitted to the incident, saying, "I was frustrated and I apologize for it." The NFL fined Owens $35,000.
Owens is known for his flamboyant touchdown celebrations, which have drawn numerous fines from the NFL office. His antics have included miming urination, pretending to be an exhibitionist, and playfully waving opposing teams' pom-poms. While some fans have criticized Owens' behavior, his supporters generally welcome his antics.
Owens ranks ninth on the list of the "most overrated celebrities," according to a list that includes Michael Jackson, Kevin Federline, and Donald Trump. However, rankings are subjective. Owens currently ranks ninth in career receptions with 882, tenth in receiving yards with 10,070, and third in receiving touchdowns with 129.
