Terrell Owens Declined His Invitation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

[DriveFor1Outta5]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I agree with NewEra on this. TO was, without question, a 1st ballot HOFer. The writers didn’t like him so they didn’t put him in. Marvin Harrison shot people, was a worse player and still got in ahead of TO. 

Yes, the fact that Ray Lewis, OJ, and Harrison are all enshrined makes the TO ballot situation a complete joke. I still would have liked to see him at the induction ceremony though. His Chattanooga temper tantrum certainly didn’t do much to improve his image. 

[frostbitmic]

Can we go back to ignoring TO now ?

[BillsFan17]

9 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

Can we go back to ignoring TO now ?

Yeah, of course we should go back to ignoring one of the greatest WRs of all time. Literally no one forced you to acknowledge TO in the first place.

[C.Biscuit97]

6 hours ago, JimKellyTryouts said:

At 2:10 he gives us a shoutout...."To a team where really nobody wanted to play"

 

Sigh...we were definitely a trainwreck during the 2000s but surely he could have given a better one liner than that. Oh well.

 

 

TO is such a joke.  One of the greatest physical talents ever but so mentally weak.  

[Bob in STL]

7 hours ago, NewEra said:

And the HoF committee came out of this looking like a bunch of complete idiots according the most people.  Sure, some that really hate TO agree with them.  To each is there own.  But he should have been 1st ballot.  2nd ballot at the very least.  Making him wait his 3rd go around was absurd imo.  Then, when he says he’s not going to attend, they decide to cut him out completely and make themselves look like 2nd graders while TO goes out on his own accord.  Loving him some him.  

 

Thats just how how I see it.  

I did not see anything in TO’s game that said absolute 1st ballot.  Sure, he has great stats like many WR’s from his era.  He played when the NFL changed to a passing game and he is a top notch statistics guy, never a top team guy, and no championships.  

 

If Thurman Thomas was not a first ballot player then I am comfortable with TO not being one.  To be passed a second time, yeah maybe that was a bit of a smack down. 

 

In the end TO got what he wanted, he got the most publicity of any player last Saturday.  

[klos63]

18 minutes ago, Bob in STL said:

I did not see anything in TO’s game that said absolute 1st ballot.  Sure, he has great stats like many WR’s from his era.  He played when the NFL changed to a passing game and he is a top notch statistics guy, never a top team guy, and no championships.  

 

If Thurman Thomas was not a first ballot player then I am comfortable with TO not being one.  To be passed a second time, yeah maybe that was a bit of a smack down. 

 

In the end TO got what he wanted, he got the most publicity of any player last Saturday.  

He played in the Super Bowl 7 weeks after breaking his leg and tearing a ligament in his ankle. The team doctors would not clear him to play, he played hurt and had a tremendous game. I think that speaks of him being a team player, team players play hurt in order to help the team win.

[Mr. WEO]

9 minutes ago, Bob in STL said:

I did not see anything in TO’s game that said absolute 1st ballot.  Sure, he has great stats like many WR’s from his era.  He played when the NFL changed to a passing game and he is a top notch statistics guy, never a top team guy, and no championships.  

 

If Thurman Thomas was not a first ballot player then I am comfortable with TO not being one.  To be passed a second time, yeah maybe that was a bit of a smack down. 

 

In the end TO got what he wanted, he got the most publicity of any player last Saturday.  

 

The NFL became a passing league decades ago.  And why would this be a consideration anyway?  WRs are paid to catch passes and he caught more than all but 7 other players and for more yards than all but one.  What is a "statistics guy"?  HE was a 6 time Pro Bowler, a 5 time All Pro--and this.  He caught TD passes from 13 different QBs, including Fitz and Trent Edwards.  Most of his TDs were thrown to him by Jeff Garcia. He was a "top team guy" (that means top WR to me) on every team that he played for.

 

No championships?  Better get Moss out this class of HOFers right now then, right? And a lot of others as well.

 

This is simple, take all the goofy press conferences, catfights and breakdowns out of consideration and only go based on what he did on the field and there cannot be an argument made that he isn't a first ballot HOF WR.

[Bob in STL]

56 minutes ago, klos63 said:

He played in the Super Bowl 7 weeks after breaking his leg and tearing a ligament in his ankle. The team doctors would not clear him to play, he played hurt and had a tremendous game. I think that speaks of him being a team player, team players play hurt in order to help the team win.

This is true. 

 

I need to consider this.  If I was a voter I would have picked him the first time around.  Most of the real voters did not feel this way. 

 

 

[Elite Poster]

Our beloved QB LITERALLY refused to come here for a year forgoing his life long dream of playing in the NFL. Once again, drop the sensitivities and accept reality. Of course, when you actually give us a chance, you'll love us.

 

If we stop crying at every mention of the city maybe people will look at us differently...

Edited August 5, 2018 by Elite Poster

[boater]

11 hours ago, Madbillsfan said:

Nobody really wants to come to Buffalo. 

But after they've been here, almost no one wants to leave Buffalo. 

[McBean]

He told the truth. Nobody did want to play here. 

 

I’ll forever love T.O for getting the skeleton Jauron fired.

[DriveFor1Outta5]

21 minutes ago, Elite Poster said:

Our beloved QB LITERALLY refused to come here for a year forgoing his life long dream of playing in the NFL. Once again, drop the sensitivities and accept reality. Of course, when you actually give us a chance, you'll love us.

 

If we stop crying at every mention of the city maybe people will look at us differently...

I agree, there is no reason to be overly sensitive to this type of thing. The drought era Buffalo Bills were the NFL’s version of Siberia.

 

With that said, I have no idea why he felt the need to make that statement in his “HOF induction speech”. Had the statement been followed by tales of many years as a great Bill, it would have been an endearing way to begin his speech. Instead, it was just a meaningless comment during shoutouts to his former teams. Ironically, TO’s statement may have been correct, but remember that TO was only here because no one else wanted him. He only played in Buffalo for the same reason he wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, because he alienated so many people. 

Edited August 5, 2018 by DriveFor1Outta5

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Edited August 5, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[26CornerBlitz]

Terrell Owens stays true to edgy, defiant reputation in speech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- More than four hours before the start of a Pro Football Hall of Fameacceptance speech unlike any other, Terrell Owens stood alone on a podium in The McKenzie Arena on Saturday morning, nervously rehearsing his lines. Clad in a long-sleeved Chattanooga Basketballhoodie, with stylish sunglasses to protect him from the dull glare of the gymnasium lights, Owens appeared detached and guarded as he prepared for his big day.

 

Then, a few minutes later, Owens took a short break, and his entire demeanor changed. After acknowledging a journalist with whom he has alternatively trusted to tell his story and heatedly clashed in the wake of depictions he considered unfair -- yeah, I'm that guy, though I'm hardly the only one -- Owens loosened up, removed the shades and smiled as he peered into his past.

[apuszczalowski]

15 minutes ago, DriveFor1Outta5 said:

I agree, there is no reason to be overly sensitive to this type of thing. The drought era Buffalo Bills were the NFL’s version of Siberia.

 

With that said, I have no idea why he felt the need to make that statement in his “HOF induction speech”. Had the statement been followed by tales of many years as a great Bill, it would have been an endearing way to begin his speech. Instead, it was just a meaningless comment during shoutouts to his former teams. Ironically, TO’s statement may have been correct, but remember that TO was only here because no one else wanted him. He only played in Buffalo for the same reason he wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, because he alienated so many people. 

I know exactly why he had to say it, because everything is about him and his ego, and it makes him feel greater about himself by reminding people that he was so great that he decided to go somewhere no HOFer would want to go. Makes himself sound like he is better then everyone else because he did something he felt everyone else wouldn't do. Never mind that it was because no one else wanted to give him the chance anymore because of his attitude and how he was always about himself. Even if he had been a 1st balloted, he problem still would have thrown  temper tantrum and not showed up because he would have had to share the ceremony with others, or because his bust wouldn't have been given it's own wing in the hall, or they didnt rename the HOF after him. Now he is in but doesnt get all those perks that only the 1st balloters are given for the rest of their life...

[BuffaloBill]

16 hours ago, BuffAlone said:

T.O. is the very definition of a diva. Harsh words to everyone. I'm glad he was a model citizen here for one year, but God dang, get over your Chattanooga ass!

 

 

T.O. Has always been a very different and in my opinion, conflicted, human being.  This does not take away from the fact that he is a freak of nature physically and was able to use those talents to play football at an elite level.  The guy is wired differently and that is not likely to ever change.

[LikeIGiveADarn]

13 hours ago, Seanbillsfan2206 said:

He’s all about himself and this was his one last chance to make it all about himself. If he wasn’t a team cancer throughout most of his career he may have been a first ballot hall of famer....

 

If he wasn't a cancer, he would probably still be playing somewhere today. Rice played into his mid 40s.

[DriveFor1Outta5]

21 minutes ago, apuszczalowski said:

I know exactly why he had to say it, because everything is about him and his ego, and it makes him feel greater about himself by reminding people that he was so great that he decided to go somewhere no HOFer would want to go. Makes himself sound like he is better then everyone else because he did something he felt everyone else wouldn't do. Never mind that it was because no one else wanted to give him the chance anymore because of his attitude and how he was always about himself. Even if he had been a 1st balloted, he problem still would have thrown  temper tantrum and not showed up because he would have had to share the ceremony with others, or because his bust wouldn't have been given it's own wing in the hall, or they didnt rename the HOF after him. Now he is in but doesnt get all those perks that only the 1st balloters are given for the rest of their life...

He could have delivered a speech in Canton that showed a different dimension of his personality. That would have been the best way to stick it to his detractors. Instead, he chose to further cement the media image of him as one of football’s greatest diva’s. 

Edited August 5, 2018 by DriveFor1Outta5

[Steptide]

T.O.'s problem is that he never realized his biggest problem was himself. Could've just played and done his best like most NFL players, but instead always had to make a spectical of himself. I get that the NFL takes itself way to seriously at times and media/fans way over react to things, but still, he could've handled himself Ina much better manner and probably been loved by most (ie randy moss) 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

31 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

Terrell Owens stays true to edgy, defiant reputation in speech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- More than four hours before the start of a Pro Football Hall of Fameacceptance speech unlike any other, Terrell Owens stood alone on a podium in The McKenzie Arena on Saturday morning, nervously rehearsing his lines. Clad in a long-sleeved Chattanooga Basketballhoodie, with stylish sunglasses to protect him from the dull glare of the gymnasium lights, Owens appeared detached and guarded as he prepared for his big day.

 

Then, a few minutes later, Owens took a short break, and his entire demeanor changed. After acknowledging a journalist with whom he has alternatively trusted to tell his story and heatedly clashed in the wake of depictions he considered unfair -- yeah, I'm that guy, though I'm hardly the only one -- Owens loosened up, removed the shades and smiled as he peered into his past.

 

.....GIVE HIM CREDIT...  at least his bust is unique.........

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, Bob in STL said:

I did not see anything in TO’s game that said absolute 1st ballot.  Sure, he has great stats like many WR’s from his era.  He played when the NFL changed to a passing game and he is a top notch statistics guy, never a top team guy, and no championships.  

 

If Thurman Thomas was not a first ballot player then I am comfortable with TO not being one.  To be passed a second time, yeah maybe that was a bit of a smack down. 

 

In the end TO got what he wanted, he got the most publicity of any player last Saturday.  

 

I couldn’t stand the guy, but I saw something different on the field I suppose

[NewEra]

5 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

But HoF isn't just about pure performance its also about contribution to the overall game.  Attitude and history are a part of that. 

 

Attitude and history.  The guy wasn’t a criminal.  He was extremely emotional and egotistical while loving the limelight.  He’s a WR.  They’re known for that.  Michael Irvin was a first ballot HoFer.  Sure, he won’t SBs, but he wasn’t a good person when he was playing.  LT was coked out every play.  He was a better player than TO but being coked out helped him become a better player.  

 

The media didnt like him, even though he gave them something interesting to write about each week.  That’s why it took him 3 years.  They didn’t like him.  And now, in my eyes, they look like 2nd graders while TO looks like the good guy.  Him having to wait to year 3 is laughable imo. 

 

To each his own.  

[hondo in seattle]

5 hours ago, DriveFor1Outta5 said:

Yes, the fact that Ray Lewis, OJ, and Harrison are all enshrined makes the TO ballot situation a complete joke. I still would have liked to see him at the induction ceremony though. His Chattanooga temper tantrum certainly didn’t do much to improve his image. 

 
 

It's a different situation.  Let's look at OJ, for example.  OJ was great on the field and a great teammate as well.  His overall contribution to his team was immense.   

 

He was an easy first ballot HOFer.  Only later did we find out he was a crappy human being.

 

TO, on the other hand, was a bad teammate.  Some coaches felt like his poisonous prima donna attitude hurt a team as much as his talent helped a team.  And some selectors chose to consider that.  I think rightfully so.  

[Augie]

7 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I agree with NewEra on this. TO was, without question, a 1st ballot HOFer. The writers didn’t like him so they didn’t put him in. Marvin Harrison shot people, was a worse player and still got in ahead of TO. 

 

But I’m sure he shot them in the nicest possible way.....

[Paulus]

Am I the only one on TO's side? Seriously, he was screwed by the HOF voters and committee.  Nothing wrong with letting them know how full of sheet they are. And, make no mistake, they are. 

[Buffaloflash]

4 hours ago, Elite Poster said:

Our beloved QB LITERALLY refused to come here for a year forgoing his life long dream of playing in the NFL. Once again, drop the sensitivities and accept reality. Of course, when you actually give us a chance, you'll love us.

 

If we stop crying at every mention of the city maybe people will look at us differently...

True!

I tell people that all the time.

[apuszczalowski]

3 hours ago, DriveFor1Outta5 said:

He could have delivered a speech in Canton that showed a different dimension of his personality. That would have been the best way to stick it to his detractors. Instead, he chose to further cement the media image of him as one of football’s greatest diva’s. 

Except that he doesnt have another dimension to his personality....

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

 

Attitude and history.  The guy wasn’t a criminal.  He was extremely emotional and egotistical while loving the limelight.  He’s a WR.  They’re known for that.  Michael Irvin was a first ballot HoFer.  Sure, he won’t SBs, but he wasn’t a good person when he was playing.  LT was coked out every play.  He was a better player than TO but being coked out helped him become a better player.  

 

The media didnt like him, even though he gave them something interesting to write about each week.  That’s why it took him 3 years.  They didn’t like him.  And now, in my eyes, they look like 2nd graders while TO looks like the good guy.  Him having to wait to year 3 is laughable imo. 

 

To each his own.  

The only one looking like a 2nd grader is TO. Him and his fans are the only ones that even care that he didnt get in as a 1st balloter. No one said he didnt deserve to get in and no one is going to think any differently of him or his career cause he got in a few years later then he was eligible too. Him and has fans act like he is losing out on so much because he wasnt in 2 years ago.

[JimKellyTryouts]

16 hours ago, Madbillsfan said:

Nobody really wants to come to Buffalo. 

 

During Ralph's era, I would definitely agree with this, but nowadays that's the farthest thing from the truth.

[oldmanfan]

He is a narcissistic child.

[Lurker]

1 hour ago, hondo in seattle said:

 
 

It's a different situation.  Let's look at OJ, for example.  OJ was great on the field and a great teammate as well.  His overall contribution to his team was immense.   

 

He was an easy first ballot HOFer.  Only later did we find out he was a crappy human being.

 

TO, on the other hand, was a bad teammate.  Some coaches felt like his poisonous prima donna attitude hurt a team as much as his talent helped a team.  And some selectors chose to consider that.  I think rightfully so.  

 

TO was unfortunate to play at the end of the "My Way or the Highway" coaching era.   IMO, if he was in his prime today, no one would be talking about what kind of teammate he is...

[NewEra]

51 minutes ago, apuszczalowski said:

Except that he doesnt have another dimension to his personality....

The only one looking like a 2nd grader is TO. Him and his fans are the only ones that even care that he didnt get in as a 1st balloter. No one said he didnt deserve to get in and no one is going to think any differently of him or his career cause he got in a few years later then he was eligible too. Him and has fans act like he is losing out on so much because he wasnt in 2 years ago.

In your opinion

[DriveFor1Outta5]

1 hour ago, apuszczalowski said:

Except that he doesnt have another dimension to his personality....

The only one looking like a 2nd grader is TO. Him and his fans are the only ones that even care that he didnt get in as a 1st balloter. No one said he didnt deserve to get in and no one is going to think any differently of him or his career cause he got in a few years later then he was eligible too. Him and has fans act like he is losing out on so much because he wasnt in 2 years ago.

I didn’t care for his reaction to not getting in first ballot. Attending the ceremony in Canton would have given him a great platform to vent. However, I can’t comprehend the logic of not voting him first ballot. He’s right imo, I just would have appreciated a better response from him.  

 

You are correct that he is in the HOF regardless, how much did he really lose out on? He didn’t lose out on much, and should have responded accordingly. I mostly take issue with sports writers setting a precedent of incorporating moral judgements into the process. Sports writers are exonerating those they took a personal liking to, and condemning those that had a rocky relationship with them. 

Edited August 5, 2018 by DriveFor1Outta5

[reddogblitz]

The headline reminds me of a story from the distant football past.

 

In 1985 Anthony Dickerson was traded from the Cowboys to the Bills. I remember reading about it in dallas paper.  It went something like this:

 

Sad day in Cowboys locker room.  Guys stopping by his locker. Shaking heads and handshakes.  Someone died, or someone got traded to Buffalo.

 

was particularly sad for my brother. Anthony was his favorite player. He even had his own nickname for him.  Kick 'em in the Dickerson Anthony.

 

years later he adopted Steve DeOssie and dubbed him Steve " Make 'em De-Izzy" DeOssie.

Edited August 5, 2018 by reddogblitz

[Gigs]

21 hours ago, wppete said:

I loved the Fitzpatrick to T.O. Combo we had for that one year.

 

A little sad to see that speech, T.O. Is still very bitter. Wish he went to the Hall of Fame ceremony. Hands down one of the best players to ever play in the NFL. 

All-time leader in drops

[Foxx]

the important thing is that TO is now in the HoF, where he definately belongs. hopefully this is the end of the story.

[Bob in STL]

9 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

The NFL became a passing league decades ago.  And why would this be a consideration anyway?  WRs are paid to catch passes and he caught more than all but 7 other players and for more yards than all but one.  What is a "statistics guy"?  HE was a 6 time Pro Bowler, a 5 time All Pro--and this.  He caught TD passes from 13 different QBs, including Fitz and Trent Edwards.  Most of his TDs were thrown to him by Jeff Garcia. He was a "top team guy" (that means top WR to me) on every team that he played for.

 

No championships?  Better get Moss out this class of HOFers right now then, right? And a lot of others as well.

 

This is simple, take all the goofy press conferences, catfights and breakdowns out of consideration and only go based on what he did on the field and there cannot be an argument made that he isn't a first ballot HOF WR.

TO came into the league in 96.  Denver won Super Bowls in 97-98, 98-99 with a running team and a great defense.  The NFL shifted to a predominantly passing league during TO’s career, not decades before it.  TO and many of his contemporaries have stats that blow away receivers prior to that such as Paul Warfield and Lynn Swann but I’m not sure they are better players. 

 

TO has great stats and longevity and that is what got him into the HOF.  TD passes from 13 QBs - big deal.  The fact that he played on five teams says lots of things, not all of them are good either.   Which is probably why he didn’t get a first ballot.  

 

I would have voted for him but I feel no sorrow for TO, and no anger with the media or the Hall.  He created the sh@t show.  Watched his speech in Chattanooga and was rolling my eyes, especially his nonsensical comment about the Bills. 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2018 by Bob in STL

[26CornerBlitz]

Terrell Owens has a point. In his Hall of Fame speech, given at the University of Chattanooga, during his own, unprecedented off-site ceremony, Owens described the process that delayed his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame like this:

“It’s about the mere fact that the sports writers are not in alignment with the mission and core values of the Hall of Fame. These writers disregarded the system, criteria, and by-laws by which guys are inducted, and ultimately the true meaning of the Hall of Fame, and what it represents.”

 

 

Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated followed Owens around this weekend, and reported an anecdote about Owens touring the Hall of Fame with his friend Doug Sanders, back in March, when he first developed the feeling that joining the official ceremonies in Canton wasn’t for him:

He and Sanders toured the grounds, seeing his jersey from a 2000 contest against Chicago, when he set the single-game league record with 20 receptions. They soaked in the history, as their guide listed the Hall’s five values: commitment, integrity, courage, respect and excellence. Owens turned to Sanders. “That’s interesting because those don’t align with what happened to me at all,” he said.

 

Edited August 5, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[row_33]

Is that it? No more infliction over nothing on us by TO?

 

 

[Bob in STL]

3 hours ago, Lurker said:

 

TO was unfortunate to play at the end of the "My Way or the Highway" coaching era.   IMO, if he was in his prime today, no one would be talking about what kind of teammate he is...

 

Really?   That era would have been long ago, Halas, Lombardi, Allen,  Saban, Shula, Noll, Ditka being one of the last of that era.  He would have not have lasted long with any if these guys and many more.   

[Mr. WEO]

53 minutes ago, Bob in STL said:

TO came into the league in 96.  Denver won Super Bowls in 97-98, 98-99 with a running team and a great defense.  The NFL shifted to a predominantly passing league during TO’s career, not decades before it.  TO and many of his contemporaries have stats that blow away receivers prior to that such as Paul Warfield and Lynn Swann but I’m not sure they are better players. 

 

TO has great stats and longevity and that is what got him into the HOF.  TD passes from 13 QBs - big deal.  The fact that he played on five teams says lots of things, not all of them are good either.   Which is probably why he didn’t get a first ballot.  

 

I would have voted for him but I feel no sorrow for TO, and no anger with the media or the Hall.  He created the sh@t show.  Watched his speech in Chattanooga and was rolling my eyes, especially his nonsensical comment about the Bills. 

 

 

 

Favre, Marino, Elway and Moon are all in the top 10 all time passing. Montana and Tarkenton and Testeverde, Fouts and Unitas are in the next 10.  That's almost almost half of the top 20 all time including active.  The change predates TO.  Even so, I doubt Swann ever puts up great numbers if he didn't have the same QB (a HOFer) tossing him passes.

 

The fact that TO racked up massive yards on 5 teams with 13 QBs should tell you all you need to know that is germane to this discussion:  TO could play with anyone because he was one of the best WRs ever to play the game. And that is all that should matter when these clowns vote.  

 

In his speech (you missed it while your eyes were rolling), TO rightly described that the voters, by using their votes to punish him or others by holding up their obviously first ballot qualifications (and letting in ahead of him pieces of sh---t like Marvin Harrison), they violated the terms of their privilege to vote.

 

I guess you were much more excited to watch the ridiculous speech that a "real" 1st ballot HOFer (and ACTUAL "sh@tshow"/human garbage) Ray Lewis gave.  The voters must have had to pack the front of their Dockers with extra Kleenex during that one....