T.O. says thanks, but he’ll skip Hall of Fame ceremony
Terrell Owens won’t be there this summer when he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Instead, he will be “elsewhere.”
Owens dropped a bombshell Thursday by announcing on his website he has declined his invitation to attend the induction ceremony Aug. 4.
Begging Owens to reconsider was none other than Steve Young, one of his former quarterbacks and a 2005Hall of Fame inductee.
“The damage to the relationship could be permanent. You don’t want that,” Young said on ESPN about Owens impact on fellow Hall of Famers. “So I beg him to reconsider because the longevity of all the people that want to respect him and that he should respect as well. Forget about, ‘I’m mad at the voters, I’m mad at the system.’ The damage that could be done by not going could overwhelm him over a period of time.”
Elected in his third year of eligibility, Owens said he is “truly humbled” and “honored” to be part of this year’s class that includes fellow wide receiver Randy Moss, linebackers Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and Robert Brazile, safety Brian Dawkins, guard Jerry Kramer and contributor Bobby Beathard.
“After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of themostmemorable days of my life, elsewhere,” Owens said without detailing his alternative plan.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame called Owens’ “No” RSVP unprecedented.
SOURCES: EDELMAN FACING 4-GAME PED SUSPENSION »
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, league sources told ESPN.
The suspension is currently under appeal. The Patriots’ first four games are against Houston, at Jacksonville, at Detroit and home against Miami.
NBA
76ERS COLANGELO RESIGNS » Bryan Colangelo resigned as president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers in the wake of what an investigation found was “careless and in some instances reckless” share of sensitive team information.
The independent review by a law firm did not determine that Colangelo oper- ated or was even aware of Twitter accounts that anonymously trashed some of his own players and fellow executives, and defended him against criticism from fans and the sportsmedia. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP said evidence supported the conclusion that Colangelo’s wife, Barbara Bottini, operated the four accounts it investigated, and she admitted to doing so though also said she deleted contents of her iPhone prior to surrendering it for forensic review, limiting the investigation. KNICKS HIRE ASSISTANTS » The New York Knicks hired former Warriors coach Keith Smart, Jud Buechler, Pat Sullivan and Royal Ivey as assistants on David Fizdale’s coaching staff. “BIG BABY” DAVIS CHARGED WITH FELONY ASSAULT » Los Angeles County prosecutors said former NBA player Ronald Glen Davis has been charged with attacking a man outside a club in West Hollywood. The DA’s office said Davis faces a felony assault charge. The player, known by the nickname “Big Baby,” is accused of throwing the victim into a wall during an altercation outside a club on April 8. Prosecutors say the victim suffered “great bodily injury.” If convicted, Davis could face up to seven years in prison. IN OTHER NBA NEWS » New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry agreed to a two-year extension running through the 2020-21 season.
Colleges
NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS» Mackenzie Little and Jenna Gray finished 1-2 in the javelin as the Stanford women sit in first place at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Along with Lena Giger’s third in the shot put and Valarie Allman’s eighth in the hammer, Stanford has 25 points – all from throwers – with Florida second with 17.
Little became Stanford’s first NCAA women’s champion since Kori Carter won the 400 hurdles in 2013.
• Cal junior Lauren Martinez set a school record as she took 11th in the pole vault.
Martinez earned second-team All-America honors with the vault of 13-7.25.
• San Jose State sophomore Destiny Longmire, the first woman track and field athlete to compete in a NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in school history, earned second-team All-America honors with her 14th-place finish in the long jump.