Terrell Owens was a physically dominant and outspoken wide receiver whose 15,934 career receiving yards rank second in NFL history.
Terrell Eldorado Owens was born on 7 December 1973 in Alexander City, Alabama, to L.C. Russell and Marilyn Heard, and was raised in a strict, protective household by his mother and grandmother alongside three siblings, rarely permitted to leave the family's front yard as a child. He played four sports at Benjamin Russell High School before attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The San Francisco 49ers selected Owens in the third round, 89th overall, of the 1996 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the most talented and controversial wide receivers in NFL history, breaking a 50-year-old record with 20 receptions in a single game against Chicago in 2000. Owens, known as "T.O.," earned six Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honours across stints with the 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys, and remains second in NFL history in career receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns. Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, and finished his 16-season career with 1,078 receptions, renowned as much for his flamboyant touchdown celebrations and outspoken personality as for a level of individual talent matched by very few receivers in the sport's history.
Prolific, controversial wide receiver, second all-time in receiving yards
How They Played
Physical receiver with exceptional speed, route-running ability, and knack for making difficult catches in traffic
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history despite off-field controversies, known for clutch performances and athletic ability
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018)
- 6x Pro Bowl
- 5x All-Pro
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 1996–2003 | 123 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2004–2005 | 21 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2006–2008 | 45 |
| Buffalo Bills | 2009–2009 | 16 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2010–2010 | 14 |