'Unprecedented': Why did ex-Eagles WR Terrell Owens turn down Hall of Fame invitation?

Even in retirement, Terrell Owens is unpredictable.

The former Eagles wide receiver, known for his on-field and off-the-field antics, announced Thursday that he won't attend his induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Terrell Owens declined his invitation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and released this statement: pic.twitter.com/J4P1mS6VjN
-- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2018

Owens said he has decided to celebrate elsewhere, but didn't say where.

Maybe with sit-ups in his driveway?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement saying it regrets Owens won't be part of the induction. No Hall of Famer has ever refused an invitation.

"We are disappointed but will respect Terrell's decision not to participate in the Enshrinement," Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said in a statement. "While unprecedented, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nearly 5,000 volunteers and the entire community are committed to celebrating the excellence of the Class of 2018 that will kick off the NFL's 99th season."

The statement added:

"As we do not want to detract from this great honor being enjoyed by the seven other members of the Class of 2018 [Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher], their family, friends, and fans; the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have no further comment on the decision made by Terrell Owens."

Six years after retiring, Owens remains No. 2 on the NFL's All-Time receiving list with 15,934 yards, trailing only fellow Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers receiver Jerry Rice.

One of Owens' best seasons was 2004, when he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns as a member of the NFC Champion Eagles, who lost to the New England Patriots, 24-21, in Super Bowl XXXIX. Owens caught nine passes for 122 yards on 14 targets from quarterback Donovan McNabb in that game.

Owens' two-year stint with the Eagles came to an end after his relationship with McNabb soured, and he went through a bitter contract dispute with the front office before signing with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played three seasons.

Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft, Owens went on to have a career in which he was named to six Pro Bowls, was a member of five first-team All-Pro teams, and finished three seasons as the NFL's receiving touchdowns leader.

Let's block ads! (Why?)