"The person who was supposed to get in got in. And that was me. If he didn't get in, that's his problem. He can talk all that other [expletive] like he's been doing. That's on him. But I'm in. My jacket is gold. I will look in the rear view for nobody," said Harrison.
"So he can get his ass in whenever he gets in…if he gets in. If he doesn't get in too bad. The hell with him," Harrison continued, apparently not noticing the irony of his response to Owens' perceived ungraciousness.
At first, Owens congratulated the 2016 class, which includes former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo. However, he would later tell a Dallas radio station, "I felt so disrespected. I think you guys know, my stats speak for themselves. I think everyone realizes that there is a flaw in the system."
He would also go on to criticize Hall of Famer Chris Carter, saying that he "begged his way into the Hall of Fame."
The whole article by Ron Borges can be read here and you can listen to the interview as well.
Owens later appeared on ESPN's First Take to make his case on why he should have made it into the Hall of Fame. He was drafted by San Francisco in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft, was with the 49ers from 1996 until 2003. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
The six-time Pro Bowler and five-time first team All-Star has 1,078 career receptions for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns. He ranks sixth all-time in receptions, and is second only to Jerry Rice in all-time receiving yards. He also ranks third in all-time receiving touchdowns.
In 2000, he broke to record for catches in a game. That record would later be broken in 2009 by Brandon Marshall.
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