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Terrell Owens Declines Invitation to Attend Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
June 7, 2018
Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens announced on Thursday he will not attend the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.
Adam Schefter of ESPN provided a statement from Owens, who was elected to the 2018 class alongside Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher:
Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker released a statement about the decision, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
"We are disappointed but will respect Terrell's decision not to participate in the enshrinement," he said. "While unprecedented, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nearly 5,000 volunteers and the entire community are committed to celebrating the excellence of the class of 2018 that will kick off the NFL's 99th season."
Marcellus Wiley spoke with Owens and relayed the WR's reasoning behind his decision, per NFL on ESPN:
In March, Owens selected longtime NFL assistant George Stewart, who was his receivers coach with the San Francisco 49ers, as his presenter for the event:
The 44-year-old Alabama native became disenchanted with the selection process after failing to reach the threshold for selection over the previous two years.
"I'm kind of over it, to be honest," Owens told WFAN in January, days before the Hall announced his induction.
Owens finished his career with 1,078 receptions (eighth in NFL history) for 15,934 yards (second) with 153 touchdowns (third) across 15 seasons with the Niners, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
He earned six Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro nods.