Last week, Jackson State head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders sounded off on the Hall of Fame becoming a free-for-all. “The Hall of Fame ain’t the Hall of Fame no more,” Sanders said.
These comments came after this year’s inductees weren’t exactly game-changers, but very good players. Coach Prime isn’t the only Canton legend who thinks that. In fact, per Sanders, “A lot of Hall of Famers think the same thing.”
One of those Hall of Famers who agrees with Deion is former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens. The outspoken Owens piggybacked when it comes to Sanders’ sentiments, by tweeting the following.
“Facts!! 💯 I feel the SAME WAY. And half of them couldn’t even look at me or speak to me when I was there last weekend. I made it a point to let Dan Fouts know how and what I felt about him and his negative comments about me when I was nominated and didn’t make it in 2016 and 2017.”
Owens is speaking of him being a no-brainer first-ballot induction, but the committee not voting him in twice because his actions on and off the field didn’t sit well with voters —which is really not a requirement especially in Owens case, as he was never in trouble with the law or anything of that nature. His actions at times could be insufferable, but not enough to warrant a two-year wait when he was an unquestioned first-ballot selection.
Unfortunately I DID NOT MAKE IT again this year. Thanks to ALL my fans & supporters. #FlawedProcess
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 4, 2017
Owens Says He Let Fouts Know He Didn’t Appreciate The Comments
Following the committee’s decision to not let him in, Fouts went on 104.5 The Zone radio and blatantly said he believed the committee gave Owens a fair shot. In that regard Fouts maybe should’ve said nothing, because a fair shot for Owens would have been a first-ballot selection. Owens eventually got in on the third try, and then he didn’t show up for the ceremony; he chose to have it at his college, Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“I think his numbers are very worthy, but again on the other side of it, I think his actions on and off the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room, and the fact that he played for so many teams and was such a great player. That question that comes back to me is if he was such a great player, why did so many teams get rid of him? And I think we all know the answers.
“I think he did receive a fair evaluation of his career, both pros and cons. But obviously ripping the Hall of Fame process, what good is that going to do. I just don’t understand that. I don’t understand a lot of things he did in his career.”
PUT TERRELL OWENS IN THE HALL OF FAME!
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) February 4, 2017
Sounds like Fouts had his mind made up on Owens prior to the vote. And that’s why Owens is agreeing with Deion. They were game changers, not just great players — and in TO’s case, they made him wait because he didn’t jive with the media and had some problems with former teammates.
Owens Can Talk The Talk: He Was Dominant
When you finish your career second all-time with over 15,000 receiving yards, third all-time with 153 receiving touchdowns and eighth all-time in receptions (1,078), you can boast a bit. For Owens and Sanders to both say the Hall of Fame process has weakened isn’t a stretch. The committee hasn’t stayed true to inducting only the best of the best.
How about me & u go celebrate over a box of Krispy Kreme donuts and glass of low-fat milk? Almond milk for me, I'm kinda lactose intolerant. 🥛 🍩 😂 https://t.co/gzxCy5CyIh
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) June 9, 2018
And if Sanders says he needs a different color jacket and he’d be one of the starting 11 on defense, then Owens can say the same thing and he’d definitely be in the mix to start in the 11 on offense. Owens was that good, no matter how the media felt about him. His numbers and accolades speak for themselves.
