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After a couple years of being snubbed, Terrell Owens was named as a member of the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class earlier this year.
He will not attend his induction ceremony. In a statement released Thursday, Owens explained why he would celebrate the crowning achievement elsewhere.
“While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton,” Owens said. “I have already shared this information with the Hall. 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. At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction.”
Owens played the first eight seasons of his 15-year career with the 49ers after they selected him with a third-round pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. He ascended into the upper echelon of NFL receivers in the final four years of his 49ers tenure. His 103.6 yards per game in 2000 led the NFL. He led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2001 and 2002. From 2000-2002, Owens strung together three consecutive seasons of at least 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. He spent the final seven years of his career with Philadelphia, Dallas, Buffalo, and Cincinnati.
Owens ranks second in 49ers history behind Jerry Rice with 8,572 career yards and 81 touchdowns. He ranks second in NFL history in receiving yards (15,934), third in receiving touchdowns (153), and eighth in receptions (1,078).
The call from the Hall was only a matter of time. But Owens will not experience the accomplishment alongside the other seven inductees in the 2018 class.