Philadelphia – Terrell Owens can host an open house, exercise on his front lawn or practice a new touchdown celebration today.
He won’t be playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Owens was suspended indefinitely by the Eagles on Saturday, two days after he criticized the organization for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch two weeks ago.
The all-pro wide receiver apologized Friday in a statement and later on his weekly radio show, but the damage already was done.
The Eagles issued a statement that said Owens was suspended “for conduct detrimental to the team.”
The team added that it will have no further comment. Owens’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, refused to comment.
It’s unlikely Owens will be paid for sitting out today’s game, though neither the team nor Rosenhaus would discuss the situation.
Owens is scheduled to make $3.5 million in base salary this season, so the suspension would cost him more than $200,000 per game if it’s without pay.
The collective bargaining agreement states that a player can be suspended for up to four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. However, the Eagles could decide to pay Owens to stay home the rest of the season.
In 2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers declared wideout Keyshawn Johnson inactive for the final six games and sent him home because of differences with coach Jon Gruden. Johnson was paid his full salary.
No matter, it’s clear Owens won’t be back in Philadelphia next year. He already put his house in Moorestown, N.J., up for sale.
Owens has been angry with the Eagles since management refused to redo his contract just one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed when he came to Philadelphia in March 2004.
Without Owens, the struggling Eagles (4-3) will line up with unproven rookie Reggie Brown at one of the wideout spots for an important game at Washington (4-3) tonight.
This is the second time Owens has been suspended during his controversial 10-year career.
In 2000, he was suspended one game by San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci after his infamous touchdown celebrations on the Dallas Cowboys’ star logo at the center of Texas Stadium.
Owens clashed with management this summer and earned a one-week exile from training camp after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid, which led to a bizarre workout on his lawn in front of reporters.
Owens got in trouble this time after taking shots at the team in an interview with ESPN.com on Thursday.
Owens was upset there was no in-stadium acknowledgment of his 100th career touchdown reception in a victory over San Diego on Oct. 23.
“That right there just shows you the type of class and integrity that they claim not to be,” said Owens, who became the sixth receiver in NFL history to reach the milestone. “They claim to be first class and the best organization. It’s an embarrassment.”
Owens also said the Eagles would be undefeated with Green Bay’s Brett Favre at quarterback.
