Terrell Owens felt 'disrespected' by Hall of Fame snub
Terrell Owens says he felt disrespected after not being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Some were surprised when former Indianapolis Colts standout Marvin Harrison was elected ahead of Owens despite his inferior statistics. Owens' 15,934 receiving yards are second only to Jerry Rice, while his 153 receiving touchdowns total is the third-best all time.
The former wide receiver said at an appearance at Ticketstock 2016 last weekend, according to The Dallas Morning News, that the electoral process needs to be reformed, hinting that he wasn't chosen due to his abrasive off-field conduct:
"I felt more so disrespected. I think you guys know, my stats speak for themselves," Owens said. "I think everyone realizes that there is a flaw in the system. I didn't really have to say a whole lot. Around the country, two weeks after the Super Bowl and this whole induction thing, people are still talking about it. Obviously there is something that needs to be changed about it.
"I never really played the game to get in the Hall of Fame, anyways. I'm used to it. I probably would have been more surprised if I had made it. It's a shame for some pencil-pushers to vote guys in, considering the body of work they've done and put out on the football field. What I've done throughout my career speaks volumes."
Owens may be known as much for his candor and emotional outbursts as he is for his virtuoso route-running ability and catch radius.
He previously said that Cris Carter "begged his way" into the Hall of Fame, and an unnamed voter revealed that Owens' disruptive presence was why he was left out of Canton.
Although he wasn't inducted upon first ballot, it's a near certainty that Owens will be honored in the near future, and the six-time Pro Bowler didn't appear to be all too concerned.
"Everything has its timing. I don't really worry about it too much. If I had made it, it would have been more of a surprise to me more than anything. I didn't hang my hat on making it, I wasn't disappointed."