Terique Owens stands as the lone legacy rookie player to join the San Francisco 49ers roster. The Washington Commanders drafted Luke McCaffrey, brother of 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, became part of the Los Angeles Chargers' most recent draft class. Frank Gore Jr., son of the 49ers' all-time leading rusher, is joining the Buffalo Bills.
Terique was among several undrafted free agents who agreed to sign with the 49ers on Saturday. The player always understood that his path to the NFL would likely start as an undrafted free agent.
"Honestly, I started football late, so I'm a late bloomer to this," Owens said after participating in the 49ers' local pro day on April 10. "But I see myself going as an undrafted free agent. Obviously, I've been working and obviously trying to get that opportunity to get drafted. But, like I said, I'm a late bloomer, and I've just been progressively getting better and hoping to get an opportunity to get drafted."
Terique is the son of Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens, who played in the Bay Area for eight seasons. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reached out to Terrell to get his reaction to Terique signing with the 49ers.
"I'm proud of him," Terrell said. "All we ever asked for is an opportunity. He's wanted to make his own name and carve his own path to get to where he is. We would've loved to have gotten drafted, but he's got his foot in the door.
"Now, he has to continue to do all the right things and show people he can play. Like I told him, he doesn't have to be me; just be himself. He's just as good as any of these other kids who got drafted; the only thing is some of them have played more football than he has. So, he should be encouraged…I started in junior high. I was on the team, but I wasn't playing…I didn't play varsity until like my 11th grade year.
"He has tremendous upside and knowledge he still can gain. He can run fast and catch, just didn't play at an earlier age and really get going to like his senior year. So, I'm excited to see him grow more now."
Proud Papa and Hall of Fame WR @terrellowens to me on his son @TeriqueOwens going to the #49ers as an UDFA: "I'm proud of him. All we ever asked for is an opportunity. He's wanted to make his own name and carve his own path to get to where he is. We would've loved to have gotten… pic.twitter.com/q9D0YkyKhI
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 28, 2024
Terique's deal with the 49ers reportedly includes a $6,500 signing bonus. While undrafted free agents typically sign for minimal salaries, it's an opportunity for them to prove they belong in the NFL after failing to hear their names called during the draft. Many can go on to have productive NFL careers.
#49ers deal for Terique Owens, Terrell Owens' son, includes $6,500 signing bonus, per a source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 28, 2024
Reflecting on Terique's performance at the 49ers' local pro day, general manager John Lynch stated, "I saw him running at me, and I played against T.O. a lot, and there was something in that stride that was very familiar. It was something about the gait. And it's crazy how those things translate. Is that just gene pool? Is that modeling the way they watch their dad run?"