NFL legend Terrell Owens managed to make headlines this offseason by becoming the first player ever to decline an invitation to his enshrinement ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The decision has drawn plenty of criticism from former players, including Hall of Famer Rod Woodson.
According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Woodson feels Owens should use the platform to at least thank those who have helped him along the way:
“I really don’t care if he comes or not,” Woodson said. “But what bothers me more than anything is that in T.O.’s life, he’s had different things that happened to him in his life, but there’s people who helped him come along through his childhood, high school, college, to get to the point where he’s at to be one of the better players to ever play in the National Football League . . . you can be there to acknowledge them. And they lose out, because he’s thinking, It’s all about T.O. For all those people who helped him, for him not to acknowledge them to the public, it’s a shame.”
Woodson's take on the matter is different from the typical flak Owens has received thus far. Induction speeches largely consist of players thanking those that helped them on their journey to NFL stardom. It is safe to assume the same can be said for Owens given his boisterous personality was known to ruffle feathers.
It is hard to pinpoint why exactly the soon-to-be Hall of Famer has chosen to opt out of the festivities. Owens said that he plans on spending that time with his family and loved ones. Woodson is likely suggesting that there is hardly a better place to honor them than at the ceremony itself.
Perhaps it could be in part to Owens' desire to return to the NFL. It's hard to reminisce on old playing days when he is not convinced they are over yet. It will be interesting to see whether or not Owens has a sudden change-of-heart in the near future.
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