Terrell Owens, one of the greatest wide receivers ever to play in the NFL, may have tried to kill himself, according to a report that came out on the heels of his failed attempt to attract interest from pro teams.
Owens' assistant called 911 Oct. 6 after finding the future Hall of Famer barely responsive after taking prescription meds. In the call, a transcript of which was released Thursday, a dispatcher asked the unnamed assistant if Owens had tried to take his own life.
"Yes, I believe so," the woman replied.
Owens' publicist Diana Bianchini told The Associated Press that “reports released with the 911 call are misleading and not factual.”
Owens had a similar controversy in 2006, when he reportedly admitted trying to kill himself with a lethal dose of pills while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. His then-publicist found him in his home, barely conscious and with an empty pill bottle nearby. According to a police report, Owens acknowledged being depressed and trying to harm himself. However, the player later denied purposely overdosing.
Owens, 37, spent the off-season rehabbing a blown-out knee after having a solid season with the Cincinnati Bengals last year. After no team offered him a contract, the frustrated wideout held his own workout Tuesday in Calabasas, Calf., inviting teams to come and judge whether he was healthy enough to play. But no team sent scouts. His agent vowed to send a tape of the workout to all 32 teams.
"I only need one team," Owens told the NFL Network. "I only need one chance."
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Owens had 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns last year. With 15,934 career yards and 153 touchdown catches, Owens is widely considered to be second only to onetime teammate Jerry Rice among the best wide receivers of all time.
Two teams in other leagues have expressed an interest in Owens. The Arena League's Chicago Rush have offered the onetime superstar $400 a week. Near Dallas, the Indoor Football League's Allen Wranglers, offered Owens a $250,000 contract for one season that includes another possible $250,000 in revenue sharing and merchandise sales.
Allen owner John Frankel told NBC that the offer to T.O. is good even if he plays for an NFL team this season. The Wranglers first game is Feb. 25, 2012.
"That is absurd," Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN. "Terrell will of course only be playing in the NFL."
