Class of 2018 Finalist Spotlight: Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens was drafted out of Tennessee-Chattanooga in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Tennessee-Chattanooga has produced 49 NFL Legends, and Terrell Owens is the first finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in school history.

Owens was born in Alexander City, Alabama on December 7, 1973, where he attended Benjamin Russell High School.

A prolific receiver with great hands and a knack for making big plays, his career totals were 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 TDs. The yardage total ranked second all-time and his touchdown reception total was third most in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

Owens made his mark playing next to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for most of his eight seasons in San Francisco. He set a then-record for catches in a single game with 20 receptions against Chicago Bears on Dec. 17, 2000. He recorded a remarkable three-year span from 2000-02 during which he caught 290 passes for 4,163 yards and 42 TDs. He set his career-highs with 1,451 yards in 2000 and 100 catches in 2002.

Owens led the 49ers in receptions five times and remains second in the 49ers’ record book in receptions (592), yards (8,572), and TDs (81).

His career also included several productive stints as a free agent (Philadelphia Eagles – 2004-05; Dallas Cowboys – 2006-08; Buffalo Bills – 2009; Cincinnati Bengals – 2010). Owens was a key weapon in the Eagles’ drive to Super Bowl XXXIX and recorded 9 receptions for 122 yards in a narrow loss to the New England Patriots.

Owens recorded 60 or more catches in all but three of his 16 seasons. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark nine times over an 11-year span and had eight seasons with double-digit TD receptions.

Named All-Pro five times (2000-02, 2004, 2007) and an All-NFC choice four times, Owens was selected to six Pro Bowls. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s.

After retiring from football, Owens continued to work. He became a Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Fitness Expert, Model and Motivational Speaker. He partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association and testified before Congress to raise awareness about the disease.

Owens is also a respected and best-selling author, penning a children’s book, “Little T Learns To Share” and a fitness book “T.O.’s Finding Fitness”. Owens’ latest endeavor, the “What TO Do” Global Campaign is an initiative aimed at empowering and motivating youth around the world through speaking, workshops and with the launch an inspirational clothing line for men, women and children.

The former wide receiver also appeared on television many times including season 25 of Dancing with the Stars and starred in his own reality show called “The T.O. Show.”

Click For Terrell Owens Full Bio