Terrell Owens Explains Why He’s Ditching The NFL’s Hall of Fame Ceremony in Ohio and Holding His Own

Third time’s a charm. 

After 1,078 receptions, 15,934 receiving yards, 153 touchdowns, and two snubs, Terrell Owens has finally been named a 2018 Hall of Fame inductee. Despite the long-awaited feat, Owens has decided to celebrate his accomplishment elsewhere, apart from the rest of the class of 2018. 

The controversial former baller announced his decision to decline the invitation last month, saying, “After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere.” 

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Although, Owens initially failed to elaborate on the reason why he decided to forgo the ceremony, he did provide a bit of insight to Marcellus Wiley, saying, “Sometimes you got to do the wrong thing for the right reason.” 

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Nearly a month later, after it was revealed that Owens’ name will not even be announced at the ceremony, the former baller announced that his own celebration would take place at his alma mater. But now, as the dust settles on the controversy, Owens has opened up about his decision to skip the ceremony in the first place. 

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In a brief interview with TMZ, Owens revealed that he would have gone to the ceremony in Canton, under one condition: If he was voted in on the first ballot. But since he wasn’t, he’s ditching the gig. 

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“At a later date, I am doing some things to clarify and validate why I’m doing what I’m doing,” he said. “At the end of the day, people can speculate. I’m not going to let anybody’s opinions about me, deter me from what I’m doing. What I will say is that my character is something that I will always defend.” 

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He then went on to condemn and accuse the media for lying about his character throughout his career, which, in turn, affected the first two HOF attempts, so he says. 

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“In terms of the criteria, the bylaws and what it takes for a guy to get in —when it came to me, other things came into play,” Owens said. “And for me, that doesn’t bode well for me.”