He put up the second-most receiving yards and third-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history. He’s considered one of the most-talented pass catchers in the history of the league. He’s also now been passed up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in consecutive years.
Of course, we’re talking about six-time Pro Bowl performer Terrell Owens. The enigmatic figure missed out on this year’s cut for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only that, he failed to finish among the top-10 vote-getters.
In the days following his most-recent snub, Owens has seen a ton of former teammates and opponents come out in support of him. That was taken to a whole new level on Tuesday when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones threw his support behind Owens in a big way.
“I know what it is with T.O. I had a guy that I love and respect and everything (Bill Parcells) that never called him anything but ‘the player,’ OK, so I understand,” Jones said, via ESPN. “He made serious contributions with us and his team involvement with us does not deserve it to have it be a negative for him being in the Hall of Fame. He was a plus for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Jones is referring to Owens’ oftentimes drama-filled 15-year career in the NFL. He’s also pointing to the three seasons Owens spent with his Cowboys. It’s a tenure that was defined by rifts between the former star receiver and the Cowboys’ organization.
But for Jones to come out in support of Owens, it tells us a story of a man that doesn’t hold the same type of grudge as Hall of Fame voters. It’s surely something said voters could stand to fall in line with, especially considering Owens’ on-field performance should have made him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Unfortunately for Owens, his chances of earning a trip to Canton next year may be even more questionable than this year. After all, Randy Moss becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time. Then again, who is to put it past voters to deny him too simply because of his questionable relationship with the media?