NFL fans may want to get their popcorn ready.
One of the most talented, troubled and polarizing NFL stars of all time could be making a comeback at the ripe age of 49-years old.
Nominally retired NFL receiver and former All-Pro, Terrell Owens, âhas been in contactâ with one of his former teams about a potential return, according to what his agent told Sports Illustrated.
Owens, a former standout with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, has actually been in touch with âJerry Jonesâ officeâ about a potential second stint with the Dallas Cowboys. Owens had previously played for Dallas from 2006-2008.
âWeâve been in constant communication with Jerry Jonesâ office over the last few days about the possibility of him returning to the Cowboys,â said Gregory D.L Daniel, Esq., Owensâs agent. âTerrell is ready to contribute and play any role, big or small. Heâs in outstanding shape. He looks no different than he did years ago. I watched him running routes full-speed with , and he looked great. He didnât drop a pass.â
Owens, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, has supposedly kept himself in tip-top shape, despite not playing a meaningful NFL snap since Obamaâs first presidential term.
âHe most recently ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, which was his warm-up. Heâs a legend. We want to make history and see him break these records,â Daniel said. âIf anybody can do it, itâs him. His three Ds are desire, dedication and discipline. He embodies that every day, even running hills at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning.â
Of course, this isnât Owens clamoring for a return to the Chicago Bears or the Houston Texans or another member of the NFLâs dregs. No, the Cowboys are firmly in the playoffs already, and many expect them to go far this year.
âHe wants to win, I want to win,â Daniel said, echoing what his client thinks of playing for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for a second time.
The Cowboys, currently 11-4 with two games left to play, are already locked into a playoff berth. They can still win the division if the Eagles falter down the stretch.
Ultimately, it does need to be asked: Does Owens have anything left to contribute to a winning Football team in 2022? Perhaps!
But it is worth noting that Owensâs issues on the field seldom had to do anything with production or efficacy. In fact, Owensâs incredible talent probably softened the fact that, by all accounts, he was an abjectly terrible teammate who was every bit as good at burning bridges as he was burning defensive backs.
In San Francisco, despite winning a lot of games and consistently being fed (Owens had a stretch from 2000-2003 for San Francisco where he averaged over 151 targets per season), things ended acrimoniously enough where the mercurial receiver infamously accused his former-quarterback Jeff Garcia of being gay in a Playboy interview.
In Philadelphia, Owens helped the Eagles make a Super Bowl while playing on a badly injured ankle. Not only did he return from said injury in an expeditious manner, he actually put up a monster game in the Eaglesâs 24-21 loss in Super Bowl XXXIX. And yet, Owens was impressively able to squander all of that good will by feuding with beloved Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb. Owens accused McNabb of drinking before the Super Bowl and throwing up due to being in poor shape during the Super Bowl itself.
In Dallas, Owens did shape up a bit under the watchful eye of coach Bill Parcells, but was still ultimately cut due to his antics outweighing his productivity. To be fair to Owens, he ended his 1-year stints with the Bengals and Bills as a model citizen.
Should the Cowboys acquiesce to give Owens a second lease on his NFL life, one of the most accomplished Football players ever will be suiting up for âAmericaâs Team.â Owens holds several notable records, including: being the only player in NFL history to score a touchdown against all 32 NFL teams, the only player in history to score two touchdowns against all 32 NFL teams, the only player in history to have an 800-yard receiving season with five different teams, the only player in NFL history to have a 150-yard receiving game with five different teams, the only player in history with a 200-yard receiving game for three different teams, as well as a litany of other team records. (Did you know Owens holds the Bills record for longest reception with a 98 yard touchdown reception?)
Should Owens return and play a snap, he will immediately become not just the oldest player in the NFL currently, but the oldest player in NFL history. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, 45, and NFL Hall of Famer George Blanda, who last played at 48 years old, hold those aforementioned records, respectively. Owens, at 49, would obviously be older than both Brady and Blanda.
âJust let him prove it,â Daniel told SI. âJust put him on the field. We can all make a lot of skeptical comments about what he can do. The reason heâs doing this is because he knows he can do this. He will never let anyone say what he has the ability to do. Leave it up to his ability and let his skills speak for themselves.â
Owensâs skills have never had an issue speaking for themselves. He is every bit as good of a player as advertised (at least, once upon a time he was).
Itâs all the other issues, and the not-insignificant fact of his advanced Sports age, that may prevent Owens from ever suiting back up.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
