History of Terrell Owens in Timeline
Terrell Owens, nicknamed T.O., is a former NFL wide receiver. Widely considered one of the best to play the position, he spent 15 seasons in the league. Owens ranks among the NFL's all-time leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns, holding the third position in both categories. His career was marked by both exceptional talent and controversial behavior.
December 7, 1973: Terrell Owens Born
On December 7, 1973, Terrell Eldorado Owens, later known as "T.O.", was born. He would become a professional football wide receiver.
September 22, 1996: First Two Passes
On September 22, 1996, Terrell Owens caught his first two passes in a game against the Carolina Panthers, totaling six yards.
1999: Appearance in Any Given Sunday
In 1999, Terrell Owens played himself as a wide receiver for the fictional Miami Sharks in the film Any Given Sunday.
2003: ESPY Awards Commercial
In 2003, Terrell Owens appeared in a commercial for the ESPY Awards, catching a home run ball from Barry Bonds.
March 4, 2004: Trade Attempt to Ravens
On March 4, 2004, the San Francisco 49ers, believing they held Terrell Owens' rights, attempted to trade him to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round pick in the 2004 draft. Owens challenged the 49ers' right to make the deal, assuming he would become a free agent.
March 16, 2004: Settlement Reached and Signed With Eagles
On March 16, 2004, before a ruling on Owens' grievance could be made, the NFL and the teams involved reached a settlement. The Ravens received their second-round pick back from San Francisco. The 49ers received a conditional fifth-round pick and Brandon Whiting from the Eagles in exchange for Owens' rights. Owens then signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles worth about $49 million for seven years, including a $10 million signing bonus.
September 2004: Published autobiography
In September 2004, Terrell Owens released his autobiography, "Catch This! Going Deep with the NFL's Sharpest Weapon," co-written with Stephen Singular.
November 15, 2004: Monday Night Football Skit
On November 15, 2004, Terrell Owens appeared in an introductory skit for Monday Night Football with Nicollette Sheridan, resulting in controversy due to its sexually suggestive nature.
2004: Featured in Photographic Work
In 2004, Terrell Owens was depicted in a photographic work by Hank Willis Thomas entitled Liberation of T.O.: Ain't no way I'm go'n in back ta'work fa'massa in dat darn field.
March 14, 2005: FCC Ruling on Monday Night Football Skit
On March 14, 2005, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that the November 15, 2004 Monday Night Football skit involving Terrell Owens and Nicollette Sheridan did not violate decency standards.
November 19, 2005: Punk'd Episode
Terrell Owens appeared in an episode of Punk'd, starring Ashton Kutcher, which was based on his suspension that same month on November 19, 2005.
March 14, 2006: Eagles Released Owens
On March 14, 2006, the Philadelphia Eagles released Terrell Owens.
March 18, 2006: Signed with Dallas Cowboys
On March 18, 2006, Terrell Owens signed a 3-year, $25 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys, including a $5 million signing bonus and a $5 million first-year salary.
September 27, 2006: Reported Overdose
On the morning of September 27, 2006, media outlets reported that Terrell Owens allegedly attempted suicide by overdosing on hydrocodone. A police report from September 26 described him as unresponsive with an empty bottle of painkillers.
December 16, 2006: Alleged Spitting Incident
After the December 16, 2006, game, Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall accused Terrell Owens of spitting in his face during the game. Owens confirmed the incident, attributing it to frustration. The NFL fined Owens $35,000.
2006: "Frequency" exhibition
In 2006, the photographic work by Hank Willis Thomas, featuring Terrell Owens, was featured in "Frequency", the Studio Museum in Harlem's exhibition of emerging artists.
March 1, 2007: Finger Surgery
On March 1, 2007, Terrell Owens underwent surgery twice to repair his right ring finger.
August 2008: Featured in FACETIME Pilot
In August 2008, Terrell Owens was featured in the pilot episode of the web series FACETIME on My Damn Channel, where he and Three 6 Mafia interviewed each other.
March 4, 2009: Cowboys Released Owens
On March 4, 2009, the Dallas Cowboys released Terrell Owens. Owens said that Jerry Jones had assured him he would remain with the team and that he was blindsided by his release.
March 8, 2009: Owens signed with Buffalo Bills
On March 8, 2009, Terrell Owens signed a 1-year, $6.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.
May 18, 2009: Guest Sports Anchor
On May 18, 2009, Terrell Owens temporarily replaced WKBW-TV sports anchor Jeff Russo for their 6:00 p.m. newscast as a one-time rating sweeps week stunt.
June 2009: Starred in ABC's Superstars
In June 2009, Terrell Owens starred in ABC's reincarnation of Superstars, a sports competition show from the 70s where celebrities are paired with professional athletes.
September 20, 2009: First touchdown with Buffalo Bills
On September 20, 2009, Terrell Owens caught his first touchdown pass with the Buffalo Bills in a 33–20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2009: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP
In 2009, Terrell Owens appeared in the NBA All-Star celebrity game again, scoring 17 points and securing his second consecutive MVP award.
2009: Starred in The T.O. Show
In the summer of 2009, Terrell Owens starred in a reality show on VH1, called The T.O. Show, which followed Owens and his best friends and publicists as they re-evaluated his personal life.
July 27, 2010: Owens signed with Cincinnati Bengals
On July 27, 2010, Terrell Owens signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly worth $2 million, with another $2 million possible from bonuses. Owens also received #81 from Antonio Bryant in exchange for an undisclosed sum.
April 2011: ACL surgery
In April 2011, Terrell Owens underwent surgery for a torn ACL he suffered during the offseason.
September 2011: Child support lawsuit
In September 2011, Terrell Owens was sued by Melanie Paige Smith III, the mother of his daughter, for failure to pay child support; the case was settled prior to trial. Owens attributed the missed payments to decreased wages.
November 2, 2011: Allen Wranglers contract offer
On November 2, 2011, the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League extended a six-figure contract offer to Terrell Owens to play for the Wranglers in the 2012 season.
January 18, 2012: Owens Joined Allen Wranglers
On January 18, 2012, Terrell Owens announced via Twitter that he accepted the Wranglers' offer, joining their ownership group.
May 8, 2012: Accusations of child support issues on Dr. Phil
On a May 8, 2012, episode of Dr. Phil, three of the four mothers of Terrell Owens' children accused him of coming up short in his monthly child support payments or not paying at all. Owens claimed he was paying approximately $45,000 per month at one time.
May 29, 2012: Owens was released by Wranglers
On May 29, 2012, Terrell Owens was released by the Allen Wranglers, with co-owners citing a lack of effort both on and off the field.
August 6, 2012: Owens Signed with Seattle Seahawks
On August 6, 2012, Terrell Owens signed a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
August 26, 2012: Owens was released by Seahawks
On August 26, 2012, Terrell Owens announced via his Twitter account that the Seattle Seahawks had released him.
September 2013: Podcast Launch on Sideshow Network
In September 2013, Terrell Owens launched a podcast on the Sideshow Network. He co-hosts with comedian Alonzo Bodden and Rob Cesternino. The podcast discusses NFL games and news and releases new shows each Wednesday.
2013: Modeling Career
In 2013, NBC Sports reported that Terrell Owens had become a model.
2014: Music Video Cameo
In 2014, Terrell Owens made a cameo appearance in R&B singer Faith Evans' music video "I Deserve It", featuring Missy Elliott and Sharaya J.
January 13, 2015: Owens stated he has not retired
On January 13, 2015, Terrell Owens stated in an interview that he had not retired and had been training with NFL players, but did not announce a return date.
2015: The Celebrity Apprentice 7
In 2015, Terrell Owens participated in The Celebrity Apprentice 7, finishing in 12th place.
2016: CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational Win
In 2016, Terrell Owens won Chris Paul's CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational, a televised bowling event, with Pete Weber. This event benefits the Chris Paul Family Foundation.
June 28, 2017: Team captain for Team Owens
On June 28, 2017, Terrell Owens played as team captain for Team Owens in the inaugural game for the newly formed American Flag Football League.
September 5, 2017: Dancing with the Stars
On September 5, 2017, Terrell Owens was announced as a contestant on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with Cheryl Burke and was the eighth contestant eliminated.
2017: Competed on The Challenge
In 2017, Terrell Owens competed on the special for the MTV reality series The Challenge titled Champs vs. Stars.
May 2018: Cover of Madden NFL 19
In May 2018, it was announced that Terrell Owens would be 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 Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) negotiation list.
July 20, 2018: Eskimos dropped Owens from their list
On July 20, 2018, the Edmonton Eskimos dropped Terrell Owens from their negotiation list.
August 5, 2018: Workout for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
On August 5, 2018, a day after his Hall of Fame induction, Terrell Owens worked out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
2018: Hall of Fame induction
In 2018, Terrell Owens was voted into the Hall of Fame but caused controversy by skipping the official ceremony in Canton, Ohio, to host his own celebration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
2018: Celebrity Clash Win
In 2018, Terrell Owens won the Celebrity Clash at the CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational, further showcasing his bowling talent at this event.
2021: CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational and Celebrity Clash Wins
In 2021, Terrell Owens achieved two victories: he won Chris Paul's CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational with AJ Johnson and also won the Celebrity Clash at the same event. Both events showcase Owens' bowling skills.
March 31, 2022: Signed with Fan Controlled Football
On March 31, 2022, Terrell Owens signed with Fan Controlled Football and was expected to be franchise tagged by the Zappers.
May 11, 2022: Traded to the Knights of Degen
On May 11, 2022, Terrell Owens was traded to the Knights of Degen in a three-team, four-player trade in Fan Controlled Football.
December 28, 2022: Contact with Dallas Cowboys
On December 28, 2022, it was announced that Terrell Owens was in contact with the Dallas Cowboys, as well as other teams, regarding a possible NFL return, but no deal was reached.
October 16, 2023: Hit by a car after an argument
On October 16, 2023, Terrell Owens was hit by a car in Calabasas, California, after being in an argument following a pick-up basketball game. Fortunately, he was not injured.
2024: Son signed by 49ers
In 2024, Terrell Owens' son, Terique, signed with his father's old team, the San Francisco 49ers, after going undrafted in the NFL draft.
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