Owens Trashes McNabb In New Book
Web Exclusive: Owens Trashes McNabb In New Book
POSTED: 7:48 pm EDT July 5, 2006
UPDATED: 9:14 pm EDT July 5, 2006
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Slideshows: Message In T.O.'s Rap Song? | T.O.'s History Of Antics
NBC 10 has obtained a copy of Terrell Owens' new "tell-all" book about the Eagles, which is an extended criticism of Donovan McNabb.
The book, called "T.O.," from Simon & Schuster and is co-authored by the brother of agent Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus.
And not shockingly, Owens spends much of book trashing former teammate McNabb and blaming McNabb for the fallout between the two stars that led to Owens' exile from Philadelphia.
In the book, Owens paints McNabb as a hypocrite, a weak leader and someone who was jealous of Owens and blocked Owens' return to the Eagles after a four-game suspension.
And Owens paints himself as a heroic but sometimes flawed figure who was wronged by McNabb, arbitrator Richard Bloch, coach Andy Reid and the Eagles.
"I accept that I played a role in tearing apart the Eagles season, but the blame was not all mine," Owens said.
But Owens puts most of the blame on McNabb.
Owens' public criticisms of McNabb last fall directly led to the end of the All-Pro receiver's career in Philadelphia.
Giants Game Was Beginning Of Feud
In the book, Owens says it was one play in a game in a 27-6 win over the New York Giants in November 2004 that upset Owens and convinced him that McNabb was jealous.
"I couldn't believe it," Owens said about a pass play where McNabb decided not to throw him the ball. "Donovan had time to get the ball to me. … Donovan ignored me, he ignored Coach Reid's design."
Owens said he returned to the huddle and ask McNabb about the play, and McNabb responded with an ob******* to Owens in front of teammates.
In his opinion, Owens then knew McNabb was deeply jealous of his popularity in Philadelphia.
"I was getting so much of the Philadelphia glory that used to be his," Owens said.
Owens then said he got into a confrontation with McNabb after the Giants game in the Meadowlands locker room and running back Dorsey Levens broke up the two men.
"Donovan was never the same with me again; things were only going to get worse," Owens added.
Owens Compares Himself To Willis Reed
Owens also claims that McNabb downplayed his role on the team after that and blames McNabb for turnovers that led to the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.
He also compares his Super Bowl performance with the legendary performance of Knicks star Willis Reed, who helped his team win a title playing on one leg.
Owens also said it was his financial advisor who inspired to get try to redo his Eagles deal.
"I wanted to send a hungry, aggressive agent into the Eagles' nest," said Owens, who hired Drew Rosenhaus.
Owens also talks about his locker room fight with former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and his soured relationship with Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
Owens also said he was deeply embarrassed that he was made to apologize about comments he made to a teen journalist about McNabb and the Eagles.
And that it was his decision to not include McNabb in that public apology for saying that Brett Favre was a better player.
"I knew at the time I would pay a big price for taking a stand."
Owens then claims that McNabb forced Reid to suspend Owens for the rest of the season by publicly saying the Eagles were better off without Owens after a loss to the Redskins.
And he also claims that the "majority" of Eagles players wanted him back on team, and that Reid made an effort to bring him back after Owens' suspension was announced.
But Owens believes McNabb forced Reid to drop that effort.
"McNabb viewed taking me back as an affront to his control of the team," Owens said.
Owens also said he was told by a team coach to careful around McNabb because the All-Pro quarterback got "nervous and tight" in big games.
A Costly Stand
Last year, Owens was suspended by the team for his conduct and the suspension was upheld by a league-appointed arbitrator Bloch.
Owens' antics, including the fight with Douglas and several media interviews that criticized McNabb, literally cost him millions in lost salary and bonus money.
The receiver also lifted weights for reporters last August in his front yard in Moorestown, N.J., after he was sent home from training camp for refusing to sign autographs for fans, including children, at a media event.
Owens was officially released this spring by the Eagles and he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the Birds' bitter rivals.
Dallas and Philadelphia face off on October 8 in Philadelphia.
POSTED: 7:48 pm EDT July 5, 2006
UPDATED: 9:14 pm EDT July 5, 2006
Email This Story | Print This Story
Slideshows: Message In T.O.'s Rap Song? | T.O.'s History Of Antics
NBC 10 has obtained a copy of Terrell Owens' new "tell-all" book about the Eagles, which is an extended criticism of Donovan McNabb.
The book, called "T.O.," from Simon & Schuster and is co-authored by the brother of agent Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus.
And not shockingly, Owens spends much of book trashing former teammate McNabb and blaming McNabb for the fallout between the two stars that led to Owens' exile from Philadelphia.
In the book, Owens paints McNabb as a hypocrite, a weak leader and someone who was jealous of Owens and blocked Owens' return to the Eagles after a four-game suspension.
And Owens paints himself as a heroic but sometimes flawed figure who was wronged by McNabb, arbitrator Richard Bloch, coach Andy Reid and the Eagles.
"I accept that I played a role in tearing apart the Eagles season, but the blame was not all mine," Owens said.
But Owens puts most of the blame on McNabb.
Owens' public criticisms of McNabb last fall directly led to the end of the All-Pro receiver's career in Philadelphia.
Giants Game Was Beginning Of Feud
In the book, Owens says it was one play in a game in a 27-6 win over the New York Giants in November 2004 that upset Owens and convinced him that McNabb was jealous.
"I couldn't believe it," Owens said about a pass play where McNabb decided not to throw him the ball. "Donovan had time to get the ball to me. … Donovan ignored me, he ignored Coach Reid's design."
Owens said he returned to the huddle and ask McNabb about the play, and McNabb responded with an ob******* to Owens in front of teammates.
In his opinion, Owens then knew McNabb was deeply jealous of his popularity in Philadelphia.
"I was getting so much of the Philadelphia glory that used to be his," Owens said.
Owens then said he got into a confrontation with McNabb after the Giants game in the Meadowlands locker room and running back Dorsey Levens broke up the two men.
"Donovan was never the same with me again; things were only going to get worse," Owens added.
Owens Compares Himself To Willis Reed
Owens also claims that McNabb downplayed his role on the team after that and blames McNabb for turnovers that led to the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.
He also compares his Super Bowl performance with the legendary performance of Knicks star Willis Reed, who helped his team win a title playing on one leg.
Owens also said it was his financial advisor who inspired to get try to redo his Eagles deal.
"I wanted to send a hungry, aggressive agent into the Eagles' nest," said Owens, who hired Drew Rosenhaus.
Owens also talks about his locker room fight with former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and his soured relationship with Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
Owens also said he was deeply embarrassed that he was made to apologize about comments he made to a teen journalist about McNabb and the Eagles.
And that it was his decision to not include McNabb in that public apology for saying that Brett Favre was a better player.
"I knew at the time I would pay a big price for taking a stand."
Owens then claims that McNabb forced Reid to suspend Owens for the rest of the season by publicly saying the Eagles were better off without Owens after a loss to the Redskins.
And he also claims that the "majority" of Eagles players wanted him back on team, and that Reid made an effort to bring him back after Owens' suspension was announced.
But Owens believes McNabb forced Reid to drop that effort.
"McNabb viewed taking me back as an affront to his control of the team," Owens said.
Owens also said he was told by a team coach to careful around McNabb because the All-Pro quarterback got "nervous and tight" in big games.
A Costly Stand
Last year, Owens was suspended by the team for his conduct and the suspension was upheld by a league-appointed arbitrator Bloch.
Owens' antics, including the fight with Douglas and several media interviews that criticized McNabb, literally cost him millions in lost salary and bonus money.
The receiver also lifted weights for reporters last August in his front yard in Moorestown, N.J., after he was sent home from training camp for refusing to sign autographs for fans, including children, at a media event.
Owens was officially released this spring by the Eagles and he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the Birds' bitter rivals.
Dallas and Philadelphia face off on October 8 in Philadelphia.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:08 PM
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