When the rest of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 is preparing for its induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio on August 4, former Terrell Owens will not be among them. For reasons which have not been made entirely clear, the former NFL wide receiver decided to forgo the official induction and will give his speech independently at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on the same date.
"I'm proud to be a Moc, and I'm honored to be able to share this experience with my family, friends, teammates and fans at the place that provided me an opportunity beyond high school and where I truly began to find myself as an athlete," wrote Owens via a statement on Twitter. "Thank you to everyone who has supported my celebration decision. I look forward to seeing you all in Chattanooga."
Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker called the decision to skip on the induction ceremony, as well as the festivities that surround it, "unprecedented." Owens shocked NFL fans when, on June 7, he declined the invitation to Canton.
"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 via a statement. "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."
How will the Hall deal with Owens' noticeable absence? By moving on.
You won't hear Owens' name much during the induction festivities or the enshrinement ceremony. He won't be mentioned during the Gold jacket ceremony on August 3, nor will he be announced the next night at the official induction ceremony. Instead, Owens' jacket will be mailed to him.
Pro Football Hall of Fame executive director Joe Horrigan joined our friends at the Talk of Fame Network this week and discussed the topic.
"The focus is on the guys who are here," said Horrigan via Clark Judge of the Talk of Fame Network.
Owens' name will be mentioned when the entire class is the subject, and his image will be present in any Class of 2018 depictions. Outside of that, the Hall will treat the situation in the best way it sees fit; by not mentioning the absent former NFL player.
"There's no reason to bring him up as an individual," said Horrigan. "He's not here."
Thanks to our friend, Clark Judge, for sending this our way.