Terrell Owens chose to skip his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in protest of the voting process that leads to a player getting into Canton, but the San Francisco 49ers are going to give him another chance to be honored in front of fans.
On Wednesday, the 49ers announced that they have decided to make Owens the 28th inductee into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. Owens said he is “humbled” by the opportunity to be enshrined alongside Niners legends like Joe Montana, Steve Young and Jerry Rice.
“The Bay Area is where I began my career, and I will forever be indebted to the 49ers and recognized as one of the 49ers greats,” he said in a statement. “I am honored to be inducted in the 49ers Hall of Fame as this is a special moment with a special group of individuals. Thank you, again, to the 49ers organization and 49ers Faithful.”
Owens ranks third all time in the NFL with 153 touchdown receptions and eighth with 1,078 receptions. He spent eight seasons in San Francisco and ranks second behind only Rice in receptions (592), receiving yards (8,572), receiving touchdowns (81), games with 100-plus receiving yards (25) and 1,000-plus-yard seasons (five).
There was some talk that Owens had chosen to represent the Philadelphia Eagles in Canton, but he quickly shot that down. His attitude toward being elected to the 49ers Hall of Fame already seems much different from when he was voted into Canton.
