Owens’s apology falls on deaf ears
Eagles steadfast in maintaining ban Agent hopes WR will play vs. Dallas
MOORESTOWN, N. J.—
For once, Terrell Owens put aside his pride, admitted he was wrong and pleaded for a second chance with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team appears unmoved. A contrite Owens, hoping to overturn his dismissal from the Eagles, apologized yesterday to coach Andy Reid, quarterback Donovan McNabb, the team’s owner and president, and fans.
“ The mentality that I have, my greatest strength can also be my greatest weakness,” Owens said, reading a statement outside his house. “ I’m a fighter. I’ve always been and I’ll always be. I fight for what I think is right. In doing so, I alienated a lot of my fans and my teammates.
“ This is very painful for me to be in this position,” he added. “ I know in my heart that I can help the team win the Super Bowl and not only be a dominant player, but also be a team player. I can bring that.”
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Owens made a public apology in hopes of returning to the Eagles immediately.
“ We hope he plays again for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Rosenhaus said. “ We hope he plays right away. We hope he plays against the Dallas Cowboys” next Monday night.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said the team had no comment. A day earlier, Owens was told by the team not to return this season because of “ a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time,” Reid said, adding that Owens had been “warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions.” The all- pro wide receiver didn’t play in Sunday night’s 1710 loss at Washington, and will remain suspended for three more games without pay. The Eagles then plan to deactivate him for the rest of the season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said yesterday that the players’ union has filed a grievance on behalf of Owens seeking to overturn the suspension. It will be heard Nov. 18 before arbitrator Richard Bloch. Owens was suspended Saturday, two days after he said the Eagles showed “ a lack of class” for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch in a game Oct. 23. In the same interview with ESPN. com, Owens said he agreed with a statement by TV commentator Michael Irvin that the Eagles would be better off with Green Bay’s Brett Favre at quarterback than McNabb. Owens apologized to the organization for making those comments, but didn’t address McNabb, even though the statement he read from included an apology to the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
Yesterday, Owens said he was sorry not only to Reid and McNabb, but also to Eagles president Joe Banner and owner Jeffrey Lurie.
“ I would like to reiterate my respect for Donovan McNabb as a quarterback and as a teammate,” Owens said. “ I apologize to him for any comments that may have been negative.” The Eagles are 4- 4 and last in the NFC East. Last year, they were the top team in the conference, going 13- 3 on the way to the Super Bowl.