Cowboys: No junk food in T.O.'s game
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
IRVING — When it comes to being sent on morning doughnut runs by veterans, Dallas Cowboys rookies have nothing to fear from Terrell Owens.
The 33-year-old receiver says much of the credit for his ability to beat most younger teammates in the 40-yard dash goes to a junk food-free diet.
"I try to take pride in my body and eat healthy during the season," Owens said. "That contributes to me being healthy and being able to move around like I do."
Despite arriving about 20 minutes late for a recent practice, Owens is having one of his best training camps in years. Owens and the team's other starters are expected to play a half in tonight's preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
Poached salmon and steamed asparagus are dietary staples for the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Owens. But it wasn't always that way for a player whose physique ranks among the NFL's best.
"My third or fourth year in the league, I got a personal trainer and started eating right," Owens said. "I definitely noticed a difference. I got into games and I felt really good. I could definitely feel the energy."
Before the lifestyle change, Owens dined regularly on fast food. His favorites included McDonald's, Burger King and Domino's Pizza.
"Once I kind of cut all that out, it made a world of a difference," said Owens, who led the league with 13 touchdown receptions last season.
Owens said he typically splurges from the end of the season until April, eating "whatever" and always saves room for a big Easter dinner that includes his mother's soul food.
"My mom makes some good cabbage and corn bread and all that good stuff," he said. "If I'm around her, I can't pass it up."
Owens also couldn't pass up the opportunity to go up against Denver's cornerback tandem of Champ Bailey, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and Dre' Bly. The Cowboys and the Broncos practiced against each other four times in two days this week.
"He's pretty cool," Bailey said of Owens. "People get this perception about him in the media, but he's a real cool guy. He's a guy you can talk to off the field and on the field."
The Cowboys rested Owens on Thursday afternoon because of sore hamstrings. Owens missed three practices in San Antonio with the same ailment and three others with back spasms.
Owens arrived late to Thursday's morning practice because of traffic problems, team owner Jerry Jones said. After Owens apologized to coach Wade Phillips, the team quickly dismissed the incident.
"The guy goes hard, so I don't have any problems with him," Dallas receivers coach Ray Sherman said of Owens.
Owens said the only time he feels his age is during two-a-days.
"Training camp makes you feel older," Owens said. "But I was talking to (tight end) Jason Witten on the sidelines the other day, and I said, 'Dude, I feel good.'"
Still, the Cowboys aren't taking any chances with Owens, especially with the team's other 33-year-old receiver, Terry Glenn, coming off arthroscopic knee surgery.
"That's what (Broncos coach Mike) Shanahan does with his guys: Travis Henry, Javon Walker," Sherman said when asked about Owens getting time off. "When (veterans are working hard), you've got to take care of those guys."
Even the ones who don't eat any junk food.
San Antonio Express-News
IRVING — When it comes to being sent on morning doughnut runs by veterans, Dallas Cowboys rookies have nothing to fear from Terrell Owens.
The 33-year-old receiver says much of the credit for his ability to beat most younger teammates in the 40-yard dash goes to a junk food-free diet.
"I try to take pride in my body and eat healthy during the season," Owens said. "That contributes to me being healthy and being able to move around like I do."
Despite arriving about 20 minutes late for a recent practice, Owens is having one of his best training camps in years. Owens and the team's other starters are expected to play a half in tonight's preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
Poached salmon and steamed asparagus are dietary staples for the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Owens. But it wasn't always that way for a player whose physique ranks among the NFL's best.
"My third or fourth year in the league, I got a personal trainer and started eating right," Owens said. "I definitely noticed a difference. I got into games and I felt really good. I could definitely feel the energy."
Before the lifestyle change, Owens dined regularly on fast food. His favorites included McDonald's, Burger King and Domino's Pizza.
"Once I kind of cut all that out, it made a world of a difference," said Owens, who led the league with 13 touchdown receptions last season.
Owens said he typically splurges from the end of the season until April, eating "whatever" and always saves room for a big Easter dinner that includes his mother's soul food.
"My mom makes some good cabbage and corn bread and all that good stuff," he said. "If I'm around her, I can't pass it up."
Owens also couldn't pass up the opportunity to go up against Denver's cornerback tandem of Champ Bailey, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and Dre' Bly. The Cowboys and the Broncos practiced against each other four times in two days this week.
"He's pretty cool," Bailey said of Owens. "People get this perception about him in the media, but he's a real cool guy. He's a guy you can talk to off the field and on the field."
The Cowboys rested Owens on Thursday afternoon because of sore hamstrings. Owens missed three practices in San Antonio with the same ailment and three others with back spasms.
Owens arrived late to Thursday's morning practice because of traffic problems, team owner Jerry Jones said. After Owens apologized to coach Wade Phillips, the team quickly dismissed the incident.
"The guy goes hard, so I don't have any problems with him," Dallas receivers coach Ray Sherman said of Owens.
Owens said the only time he feels his age is during two-a-days.
"Training camp makes you feel older," Owens said. "But I was talking to (tight end) Jason Witten on the sidelines the other day, and I said, 'Dude, I feel good.'"
Still, the Cowboys aren't taking any chances with Owens, especially with the team's other 33-year-old receiver, Terry Glenn, coming off arthroscopic knee surgery.
"That's what (Broncos coach Mike) Shanahan does with his guys: Travis Henry, Javon Walker," Sherman said when asked about Owens getting time off. "When (veterans are working hard), you've got to take care of those guys."
Even the ones who don't eat any junk food.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:23 AM
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