Terrell Owens: Through the Years

SI Staff | Jul 27, 2010

Terrell Owens: Through the Years /

Terrell Owens: Through the Years

A third-round pick out of Chattanooga, Owens made 10 starts for the 49ers as a rookie in 1996, catching 35 balls for 520 yards and four touchdowns.

When Jerry Rice went down with an ACL injury in 1997, Owens became the No. 1 receiver, totaling 60 receptions for 936 yards and eight touchdowns.

Owens' dramatic touchdown catch against the Packers in the 1998 NFC wild-card game gave the 49ers a 30-27 victory.

On Sept. 24, 2000, Owens celebrated a touchdown by running to midfield of Texas Stadium and posing on the Cowboys' star.

During an Oct. 14, 2002, Monday-night game in Seattle, Owens pulled a Sharpie out of his sock after scoring a touchdown, signed the ball and handed it to a friend in the crowd.

On Dec. 15, 2002, Owens celebrated a touchdown against the Packers by taking a pair of pom-poms from a 49ers cheerleader.

Owens joined the Eagles in 2004 and caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games, helping them go 13-3.

On Nov. 15, 2004, before a Monday-night contest, Owens appeared in a controversial skit with "Desperate Housewives" Nicolette Sheridan that later created a national media firestorm. Here are Owens and Sheridan at the ESPYs.

In 2005, Owens recovered from a broken leg to play for the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. T.O. had nine catches for 122 yards, but the Eagles lost to the Patriots 24-21.

Owens was displeased with his contract entering the 2005 season, and his relationship with the Eagles deteriorated. On Nov. 4 coach Andy Reid suspended Owens for conduct detrimental to the team. On Nov. 8, Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus held an impromptu press conference to discuss the situation.

On March 18, 2006, Owens signed a three-year deal worth $25 million with the Cowboys. Owens caught nine passes for 99 yards in his first two games but broke his finger in a win over the Redskins.

On Sept. 27, 2006, Dallas media outlets reported Owens had tried to commit suicide by overdosing on hydrocodone. Owens was rushed to the hospital after his publicist, Kim Etheridge, found him unresponsive in his condo. After investigating the incident, the Dallas police reported it to be an accidental overdose.

On Nov. 18, 2007, Owens set a new career-high and tied a franchise record with four touchdown catches against the Redskins.

In Week 16 of the 2007 season, Owens set a Cowboys record with his 15th TD catch. But he also suffered a high ankle sprain in the game and missed the rest of the season. He returned for a playoff game against the Giants, which the Cowboys lost 21-17.

On Dec. 12, 2008, it was reported that Owens expressed resentment towards Tony Romo and Jason Witten, apparently because he was jealous of the close relationship between the quarterback and tight end. Two days later, however, the trio appeared to be fine during an interview by NBC's Andrea Kremer following an important 20-8 win over the Giants.

Late on March 4, 2009, anonymous sources told ESPN the Cowboys planned to cut Owens, ending his three-year tenure with the team. The Cowboys will absorb a $9.1 million salary cap hit for the move.

The Buffalo Bills decided to take a chance on the talented but high-maintenance receiver, signing Owens to a $6.5 million, one-year deal on March 7, 2009.

In his lone season in Buffalo, Owens caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns. His performance wasn't enough to catapult the Bills into the playoffs as the team finished in the AFC East basement with a 6-10 record.

Published Jul 27, 2010

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