Boy, when will you learn?? Pride comes before a crash....
Owens Suspended, Out for Remaining Season
The Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday that controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens has been suspended four games and will not play again this season.
Head coach Andy Reid announced the team's decision at an afternoon press conference.
"Terrell Owens has been suspended by the team for four games for conduct detrimental to the team and he will not be returning to play for the team even after the conclusion of that suspension," Reid said. "The league has been notified by the Players' Union that they will be grieving our right to take that action.
"I do want it to be clear that this decision is a result of a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time, during which Terrell had been warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions. Even with the activities that took place last week, we gave Terrell every opportunity to avoid this outcome."
Reid stated that this will be the final word said on Owens and he will not comment on the situation again.
It is likely, though, that following the four-game suspension, Reid will deactivate Owens so he can fill the vacant roster spot.
If Owens is deactivated, it will be a similar situation to the one that occurred with Keyshawn Johnson two years ago. Johnson played with Tampa Bay at the time before head coach Jon Gruden decided the flamboyant receiver would not play again for the team.
Earlier in the week, Owens made comments during an interview about how the organization lacked class after not recognizing the fact that he caught his 100th career touchdown pass in an October 23 game against San Diego. Owens also claimed that the team's comment of allegedly forgetting about the milestone touchdown was a "blatant lie" and it insulted the receiver.
Philadelphia does not typically stop the game to honor individual achievements.
Then, in the same interview, Owens addressed the team's quarterback situation and stated that the Eagles would have a better record and even perhaps be undefeated if All Pro Brett Favre was under center opposed to Donovan McNabb.
This past Friday, Owens delivered a written apology for his remarks.
"I've had the opportunity to talk with the Eagles organization, and I have learned the team does not recognize individual achievements," Owens uttered. "It has been brought to my attention that I have offended the organization and my teammates. Therefore, I would like to apologize for any derogatory comments toward them."
However, Owens never personally apologized to the team, or to McNabb for that matter, about his remarks.
It was also reported that Owens was involved in a locker-room altercation with a team affiliate last week, although no official details of the incident have been provided.
Reid then suspended Owens indefinitely on Saturday.
These latest occurrences marked a string of incidents with Owens that began back in the offseason when the Pro Bowl wideout traded barbs through the media with McNabb and spoke of a desire to renegotiate his contract.
Owens, who hired well-known agent Drew Rosenhaus in the offseason, threatened to hold out of training camp if he did not get a new deal, but the Chattanooga product ultimately reported on time and avoided a hefty fine.
The 31-year-old Owens had finished just one season into a seven-year, $49 million contract he signed upon his acquisition by Philadelphia last year, but believed that he had already outplayed that deal. The Eagles, though, refused to accommodate Owens.
After reporting, Owens was then thrown out of training camp by Reid after getting into an argument with the head coach, and the team suspension lasted one week.
Last year, in his first season with Philadelphia, Owens had a sensational campaign. Despite breaking his right leg in December, Owens recovered quickly and played in Super Bowl XXXIX, which the Eagles lost to New England. He caught 77 balls for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season, then hauled in nine passes for 122 yards in the Super Bowl.
Owens played his first eight seasons in the NFL for San Francisco, but got into a contract squabble with the 49ers, who tried to deal him to Baltimore. That trade was rescinded after Owens refused to play for the Ravens and the Eagles worked out a deal soon after.
On the season, Owens had 47 receptions for 763 yards and six touchdowns.
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Tuesday, November 8th 2005 at 5:05PM
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