Terrell Owens, also known as "T.O.", is a celebrated former NFL wide receiver with a career spanning 15 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the position, he holds the third-place rank in NFL history for both career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. His impressive stats and memorable on-field presence solidify his place among the football greats.
December 7, 1973: Birth of Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens was born on December 7, 1973.
1995: College Basketball Tournament
Terrell Owens played in the 1995 NCAA basketball tournament while at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
September 22, 1996: First NFL Catches
On September 22, 1996, Terrell Owens caught his first two passes in the NFL against the Carolina Panthers.
1996: NFL Draft
Terrell Owens was drafted into the NFL in 1996 by the San Francisco 49ers.
1997: Starting Role and 13 Wins
In 1997, Owens became a starter for the 49ers after Jerry Rice's injury and helped the team win 13 games. He also scored his first postseason touchdown.
1998: First 1,000-Yard Season and Playoff Game-Winner
In 1998, Owens surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time and caught the game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the Wildcard playoff game.
1999: Production Drop
In 1999, Owens' production decreased following an injury to Steve Young and Jeff Garcia taking over as starting quarterback.
1999: Any Given Sunday Appearance
In 1999, Terrell Owens appeared in the film Any Given Sunday, playing himself as a wide receiver.
1999: Start of NFL Receiver Target Tracking
The NFL began officially tracking receiver "targets" in 1999.
December 17, 2000: Record-Breaking Performance
On December 17, 2000, Owens set a then-record with 20 receptions for 283 yards against the Chicago Bears.
2001: Strong Season
Owens had another strong season in 2001, recording 93 receptions for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns.
2002: Playoff Performance and Loss
In 2002, Owens contributed to a playoff win against the Giants but the 49ers lost the following week to the Buccaneers.
2003: Final Season with 49ers
2003 marked Owens' last season with the San Francisco 49ers.
2003: ESPY Awards Commercial
Terrell Owens appeared in a commercial for the 2003 ESPY Awards, catching a home run ball hit by Barry Bonds.
March 4, 2004: Trade Dispute and Grievance
On March 4, 2004, a trade attempt involving Owens and the Baltimore Ravens was challenged, leading to a grievance filed by the NFLPA.
March 16, 2004: Settlement and Eagles Contract
On March 16, 2004, a settlement was reached, and Owens signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
September 2004: Autobiography Released
In September 2004, Terrell Owens released his autobiography, "Catch This! Going Deep with the NFL's Sharpest Weapon".
November 15, 2004: Monday Night Football Skit
On November 15, 2004, Terrell Owens appeared in a controversial skit on Monday Night Football with Nicollette Sheridan, which drew criticism for being sexually suggestive.
December 19, 2004: Ankle and Fibula Injury
On December 19, 2004, Owens suffered a severe ankle and fibula injury due to a horse-collar tackle by Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys.
2004: Featured in Art Work
In 2004, Terrell Owens was depicted in a photographic work by artist Hank Willis Thomas titled "Liberation of T.O.: Ain't no way I'm go'n in back ta'work fa'massa in dat darn field".
2004: Terrell Owens' Earnings and Contract
In 2004, Terrell Owens earned $9 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, the majority of which came from bonus money.
2004: Playboy Interview and Garcia Controversy
In 2004, Owens gave a controversial interview to Playboy magazine regarding rumors about his former teammate Jeff Garcia.
2004: Trade to Philadelphia Eagles
In 2004, Terrell Owens was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
March 14, 2005: FCC Ruling on MNF Skit
On March 14, 2005, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that the Monday Night Football skit featuring Terrell Owens and Nicollette Sheridan did not violate decency standards.
April 2005: Contract Dispute and Controversy with the Eagles
In April 2005, Terrell Owens hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent and sought to renegotiate his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He made $9 million in 2004 but was set to make less in 2005, placing him outside the top ten highest-paid receivers. He also sparked controversy with a comment directed at quarterback Donovan McNabb, exacerbating their already strained relationship.
November 19, 2005: Suspension and Punk'd Episode
On November 19, 2005, Terrell Owens was suspended from the Philadelphia Eagles, an incident that was later dramatized in an episode of the television show Punk'd.
2005: Continued Contract Dispute and Start of Season
In 2005, Terrell Owens, with the help of his agent Drew Rosenhaus, continued to push for a new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite meetings with the team's coach and president, no agreement was reached. Although Owens threatened to hold out of training camp, he reported on time. The 2005 season began with Owens in the second year of a seven-year, $49 million contract, which was heavily back-loaded and didn't guarantee him the average annual salary for a top-tier receiver.
2005: On-Field Success Despite Off-Field Controversy
During the first half of the 2005 season, despite the off-field controversies, Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb maintained a productive on-field relationship. Owens was McNabb's primary target, averaging 13.14 targets per game, an NFL record as of 2023. Owens also ranked highly in several receiving categories.
March 14, 2006: Release from the Eagles
On March 14, 2006, the Philadelphia Eagles released Terrell Owens.
March 18, 2006: Signing with the Dallas Cowboys
On March 18, 2006, Terrell Owens signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, which included a $5 million signing bonus and a $5 million first-year salary.
September 27, 2006: Alleged Suicide Attempt
On September 27, 2006, reports emerged regarding an alleged suicide attempt by Terrell Owens involving an overdose of hydrocodone.
December 16, 2006: Spitting Incident with DeAngelo Hall
On December 16, 2006, during a game against the Atlanta Falcons, Terrell Owens was involved in an incident where he allegedly spat at DeAngelo Hall, resulting in a fine from the NFL.
2006: Return to the Field and Injury
In 2006, Terrell Owens returned to the field with the Dallas Cowboys, recording a touchdown in his season opener. However, he broke his finger in the following game while blocking, requiring surgery. He returned to play shortly after.
2006: Artwork Exhibited
In 2006, the artwork featuring Terrell Owens, "Liberation of T.O.", was exhibited at the Studio Museum in Harlem.
March 1, 2007: Surgery on Finger
On March 1, 2007, Terrell Owens underwent two surgeries to repair his right ring finger.
2007: Successful Season with the Cowboys
During the 2007 season, Terrell Owens had a successful year with the Dallas Cowboys. On November 18, he set a career-high and tied a franchise record with four touchdown catches against the Washington Redskins. He made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team, also setting a new Cowboys record for touchdown catches in a season with 15. However, he suffered a high ankle sprain towards the end of the season.
2007: Reception Record Broken
Terrell Owens' single-season reception record at Chattanooga was broken by Alonzo Nix in 2007.
August 2008: FACETIME Web Series Debut
In August 2008, Terrell Owens was featured in the first episode of the web series FACETIME, where he interviewed Three 6 Mafia.
2008: Pro Bowl Performance
In the 2008 Pro Bowl, Terrell Owens had a strong performance, catching seven passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns for the NFC. However, Adrian Peterson was named MVP.
March 4, 2009: Release from the Cowboys
On March 4, 2009, the Dallas Cowboys released Terrell Owens, a move that surprised Owens as he believed he would remain with the team.
March 8, 2009: Signing with the Buffalo Bills
On March 8, 2009, Terrell Owens signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.
May 18, 2009: Guest Sports Anchor
On May 18, 2009, Terrell Owens filled in as a guest sports anchor for WKBW-TV's 6:00 p.m. newscast.
June 2009: Superstars Appearance and Controversy
In June 2009, Terrell Owens participated in ABC's Superstars, a sports competition show. His appearance was marked by controversy involving supermodel Joanna Krupa.
September 20, 2009: First Touchdown with the Bills
On September 20, 2009, Terrell Owens caught his first touchdown pass with the Buffalo Bills in a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2009: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP
In 2009, Terrell Owens won his second consecutive MVP award in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game after scoring 17 points.
2009: The T.O. Show Premieres
In 2009, Terrell Owens' reality show, The T.O. Show, premiered on VH1, offering a glimpse into his personal life.
2009: The T.O. Show Renewed
Following its premiere in 2009, The T.O. Show, focusing on Terrell Owens' personal life, was renewed for two more seasons.
July 27, 2010: Signing with the Cincinnati Bengals
On July 27, 2010, Terrell Owens signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $2 million, with an additional $2 million possible in bonuses. He joined Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, who had both advocated for his signing.
April 2011: ACL Surgery and Attempted Comeback
In April 2011, Terrell Owens underwent surgery for a torn ACL. He was cleared to play later that year and held a televised workout, but no NFL teams attended.
September 2011: Child Support Lawsuit
In September 2011, Terrell Owens faced a lawsuit for unpaid child support but settled the case before trial.
November 2, 2011: Allen Wranglers Contract Offer
On November 2, 2011, Terrell Owens received a six-figure contract offer from the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League to play for them in the 2012 season.
2011: Ranking in NFL Top 100 Players
In 2011, Terrell Owens was ranked 91st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
2011: Season with the Bengals and Injury
During the 2011 season, Terrell Owens played for the Cincinnati Bengals, leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. However, the Bengals had a losing record. He was placed on injured reserve for the first time in his career due to a torn ACL, and the Bengals did not re-sign him.
January 18, 2012: Joins Allen Wranglers
On January 18, 2012, Terrell Owens officially accepted the Allen Wranglers' offer and joined the team, also becoming part of their ownership group.
May 8, 2012: Child Support Issues on Dr. Phil
On May 8, 2012, Terrell Owens appeared on Dr. Phil, where he addressed accusations from the mothers of his children regarding child support payments.
May 29, 2012: Released by Allen Wranglers
On May 29, 2012, Terrell Owens was released by the Allen Wranglers due to perceived lack of effort on and off the field.
August 6, 2012: Signs with Seattle Seahawks
On August 6, 2012, Terrell Owens signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
August 26, 2012: Released by Seattle Seahawks
On August 26, 2012, Terrell Owens was released by the Seattle Seahawks.
2012: Allen Wranglers
Terrell Owens played for the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League in 2012.
September 2013: Podcast Launch
In September 2013, Terrell Owens launched a podcast on the Sideshow Network, discussing NFL games and news.
2013: Modeling Career
In 2013, Terrell Owens began a career in modeling, as reported by NBC Sports.
2014: Music Video Cameo
Terrell Owens made a cameo appearance in Faith Evans' music video "I Deserve It" in 2014.
2014: Trains with NFL Players
During the 2014 NFL season and offseason, Terrell Owens trained with various NFL players.
January 13, 2015: Denies Retirement
On January 13, 2015, Terrell Owens clarified that he had not retired from professional football and had been training with other NFL players, hinting at a possible return.
2015: Celebrity Apprentice Appearance
In 2015, Terrell Owens participated in The Celebrity Apprentice 7, finishing in 12th place.
2016: CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational Win
In 2016, Terrell Owens, paired with Pete Weber, won Chris Paul's CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational.
June 28, 2017: Plays in American Flag Football League
On June 28, 2017, Terrell Owens participated as team captain in the inaugural game of the American Flag Football League.
September 5, 2017: Dancing with the Stars Appearance
On September 5, 2017, Terrell Owens joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars season 25, partnering with Cheryl Burke.
2017: The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars
In 2017, Terrell Owens competed on the MTV reality show The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.
May 2018: Madden NFL 19 Cover Athlete
In May 2018, Terrell Owens was featured on the cover of the "Hall of Fame" edition of Madden NFL 19.
June 19, 2018: Added to Edmonton Eskimos Negotiation List
On June 19, 2018, Terrell Owens was added to the negotiation list of the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
July 20, 2018: Dropped from Eskimos Negotiation List
On July 20, 2018, the Edmonton Eskimos removed Terrell Owens from their negotiation list.
August 5, 2018: Works Out for Saskatchewan Roughriders
On August 5, 2018, Terrell Owens worked out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This occurred a day after his Hall of Fame induction.
2018: Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
Terrell Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
2018: Celebrity Clash Win
Terrell Owens emerged victorious in the Celebrity Clash at the CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational in 2018.
2018: Hall of Fame Induction and Controversy
In 2018, Terrell Owens was inducted into the Hall of Fame but sparked controversy by skipping the official ceremony in Canton, Ohio and hosting his own celebration instead.
2021: CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational and Celebrity Clash Wins
Terrell Owens achieved victory in the CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational with AJ Johnson and also won the Celebrity Clash in 2021.
March 31, 2022: Signs with Fan Controlled Football
On March 31, 2022, Terrell Owens signed with Fan Controlled Football and was expected to play for the Zappers.
May 11, 2022: Traded to Knights of Degen
On May 11, 2022, Terrell Owens was traded to the Knights of Degen in the Fan Controlled Football league.
December 28, 2022: Contact with Dallas Cowboys
On December 28, 2022, reports emerged of Terrell Owens being in contact with the Dallas Cowboys and other teams for a potential NFL return, though no deal materialized.
2022: Fan Controlled Football
Terrell Owens played in Fan Controlled Football in 2022.
October 16, 2023: Car Accident
On October 16, 2023, Terrell Owens was involved in a car accident in Calabasas, California, after an argument following a basketball game, but was not injured.
2023: Owens' Target Record Still Stands
As of 2023, Terrell Owens still holds the NFL record for average targets per game, set in 2005.
2024: Son Joins 49ers
In 2024, Terrell Owens' son, Terique, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a wide receiver after going undrafted.