NFL: Terrell Owens Must Relinquish Comeback Dream, Retire Immediately

Terrell Owens wants back in the NFL in 2012, but the 38-year-old wide receiver should just give up his comeback dream and retire.

Owens told CSNChicago.com that his plan is to return to the NFL, and he would be willing to play for the NFL minimum. 

The man known as "T.O." played his last NFL game in December of 2010. That was at the end of his first and only season with the Cincinnati Bengals, during which he had 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. After offseason knee surgery, he was not signed by an NFL team in 2011.

In February, Owens admitted that he was almost broke, and he decided to accept an offer to play for the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League. In four games, Owens has 16 receptions for 193 yards and seven touchdowns. 

I appreciate that Owens is trying to get back into the NFL and understand that he needs money. But after his long career of creating issues in locker rooms, the fact that no NFL team is interested in him is not surprising. The Bengals were the only team that expressed interest in him before the 2010 season and, despite his excellent production while in town, they did not even offer him a minimum-level contract to return. 

Owens is a six-time Pro Bowler who has also been named to the All-Pro team five times. He holds several NFL records and is likely ticketed for the Hall of Fame eventually. He is currently sixth on the NFL's all-time receptions list (1,078), second in career receiving yards (15,934) and tied for second with Randy Moss in career receiving touchdowns (153). If he quits now, he will be remembered as one of the best wide receivers to ever strap on a helmet. 

Owens is a classic tale of a guy who was never satisfied with where he was. He always found ways to wear out his welcome wherever he played. It's sad really, because he proved himself to be an immensely talented player who was one of the NFL's elite talents for a long time.

While I feel bad for him that he's running out of money and desperately wants to play football, I believe it is time for him to give up any hopes of a comeback and retire somewhat gracefully. That would be the best decision for his legacy.