Fans slams NFL star Terrell Owens for snubbing the Hall of Fame

Fans have condemned former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens for refusing to attend his own induction ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Owens was voted in to the hall in February after being denied in his first two years of eligibility.

However, he said in a statement yesterday: ‘While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton.’

His announcement has sparked anger from some fans, with one woman posting on the star’s Facebook page: ‘Instead of graciously accepting the greatest honor in football, your arrogance will cause you to miss out on the greatest weekend of your career. Your induction should be revoked. It is a slap in the face to the HOF and City of Canton.’

Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs past safety Kim Herring #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of their preseason game on August 26, 2005

Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs past safety Kim Herring #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of their preseason game on August 26, 2005

Terrell Owens #81 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys with 12 seconds left on December 8, 2002 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas

Terrell Owens #81 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys with 12 seconds left on December 8, 2002 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas

Although he has not revealed the full reason behind his snub, Owens said in his statement: ‘After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere.

 ‘At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction.’

One sports writer concluded that Owens was ‘snubbing the Pro Football Hall of Fame of his presence at the induction ceremony this year after being snubbed the past two years’.

Former NFL wide receiver and Chattanooga alum Terrell Owens walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Alabama and Chattanooga

Former NFL wide receiver and Chattanooga alum Terrell Owens walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Alabama and Chattanooga

Owens played 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.

His announcement on Thursday is unprecedented by an enshrinee.

‘Hopefully, the story this summer will remain about those that will be there instead of the one that will not,’ said Howard Balzer of SiriusXM Radio, a 15-year voter for the Hall of Fame.

September 10, 2006. Jacksonville: Terrell Owens leaps over Donovin Daruius

September 10, 2006. Jacksonville: Terrell Owens leaps over Donovin Daruius

Some of his fans applauded his decision, with one tweeting: ‘keep being authentic bro!!! Do not be conformed of this world.’

However, others slammed his decision, with one saying on the star’s Facebook page that she was ‘truly very disappointed that you will not be in Canton. The honor you have been given was deserved but I feel like you are throwing it back in their face. I’m a Grandma saying Shame On You.’

Another posted that he was ‘dishonoring’ fellow inductees, Canton Ohio and its citizens. 

File photo from 2012: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Tennessee Titans

File photo from 2012: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Tennessee Titans

And while others begged him to reconsider, some simply congratulated him for giving so much to the sport.

The hall confirmed that the former All-Pro receiver informed them he would not be on hand on August 4 for the enshrinements.

‘We are disappointed but will respect Terrell’s decision not to participate in the enshrinement,’ Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said.

‘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.

‘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.’

Owens entered the league as a third-round pick by San Francisco in 1996 and developed into a star known for some memorable playoff appearances.

This includes his winning 25-yard TD catch to beat Green Bay in 1999, his 177 yards in a comeback win against the Giants in 2003, and his nine catches for 122 yards in the 2004 Super Bowl against New England just seven weeks after breaking his leg.

Former NFL player Terrell Owens arrives at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles (file photo)

Former NFL player Terrell Owens arrives at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles (file photo)

He ranks second to Jerry Rice with 15,934 yards receiving and is third on the all-time touchdowns receiving list with 153.

Owens heavily criticized the voting process when he failed to be elected in 2016 and 2017. Among the reasons he fell short were his being considered a divisive teammate and negative presence in the locker room.

Still, he received strong consideration for the hall before getting in last February, along with Moss, another standout receiver.

‘I think T.O. actually was disappointed when he got in this year,’ said Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, who presented Owens’ case for induction and has been on the selection committee for 16 years.

‘I think he was happier when he got snubbed and could play the part of the persecuted victim and moan on every radio talk show that was willing to bring him on about the unfairness of the process.

‘Maybe he was worried that he would become forgotten after the induction ceremony. This way, he gets his gold jacket, but still will be remembered as the guy who told the hall to go stuff it,’ he added.

Another Owens supporter in the hall voting, Jarrett Bell of USA Today, has been on the selection committee for 21 years and was ‘at a loss to understand’ why Owens would decline to attend the inductions.

But Bell, like Baker, stressed Owens’ absence would not affect the ceremony much.

‘Think of the other members of the class of 2018,’ Bell said. 

He added: ‘They deserve their upcoming honor and the celebration. There’s no stain on them because someone doesn’t want to show up.

‘Think of the players who gave their all to the sport, including many worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, who will never be enshrined. 

‘Think of the family members of former players, coaches and officials – many of whom have passed away – pushing for their loved ones to receive special recognition for career accomplishments. Then think of Terrell Owens. In that order.’

Terrell Owens  attends Nickelodeon's 2018 Kids' Choice Awards at The Forum on March 24, 2018 in Inglewood, California

Terrell Owens attends Nickelodeon’s 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards at The Forum on March 24, 2018 in Inglewood, California

In a possible indicator that he might skip the August ceremony, Owens did not attend the announcement that he had been selected to the hall.

‘All these years Owens wanted to go to the hall and was quite vocal about it,’ said Rick Gosselin, a hall voter for 23 years.

‘Now he doesn’t want to go to the hall? It’s kind of puzzling. … I wonder what all of his new teammates wearing those gold jackets think,’ he added.

Owens did thank the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills and Bengals in his statement and called becoming a Hall of Famer ‘an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever’.

Although he will not be on hand to see his bust unveiled in August, Bell said: ‘Don’t think of even considering it a sad day for the Hall of Fame. The hall will always be bigger than one person.’



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