Terrell Owens aged gracefully in the NFL.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver remained a potent weapon in the second half of his career, accumulating five thousand-yard seasons after the age of 30.
Owens believes new 49ers addition Mike Evans has the talent to follow in those footsteps, but says the 32-year-old has to make some changes to his training regimen this offseason to stay healthy and give himself that chance.
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“Obviously he’s been battling the hamstring injuries over the last few years with the Buccaneers, and that’s of some concern,” Owens said in an exclusive interview. “Hopefully he can do some things in the offseason to eliminate that. It’s usually been late in the season when he’s been hurt, so he has to change up what he’s doing from a training standpoint. Even nutrition.”
Evans played in only eight games last season and finished with 368 receiving yards, breaking the streak of 12 consecutive thousand-yard campaigns to start his career.
Owens is hopeful getting with a new training staff in San Francisco will be a benefit, and said a healthy Evans can be a difference-maker in a Super Bowl push.
“There’s obviously something going on,” Owens said. “Bodies can get out of alignment. Hips and things of that nature. If he can address that and be productive, be available for the team toward the end of the season and into the playoffs, they’ve got a good chance.”
Owens was extremely durable during his career, playing in 14 games or more in all but one of his 15 NFL seasons. While Owens was criticized for his brash personality as a player, he always kept himself in tremendous shape.
“I always prioritized my health and always came into camp healthy,” Owens said. “I only had an issue one time, and that was 2006 with the Cowboys going into training camp. I never really had any soft tissue injuries. These hamstring issues have been (Evans’) Achilles’ heel these last few years, but I’m sure the 49ers are aware of that. Hopefully their strength and conditioning coaches can do something to address it.”
Owens: I ‘couldn’t care less about’ Jerry Jones
Owens has a good relationship with the 49ers, the team that took him in the third round of the 1996 draft and helped turn him into a star.
“I had some great coaches in San Francisco that poured into me and saw the potential I had,” Owens said. “The 49ers, I’ve done some stuff with them. Got a statue placed in their museum there. I’m available (for them).”
The same cannot be said for the Cowboys.
Owens reached 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in all three of his seasons with Dallas from 2006 through 2008, but was released in 2009.
The Cowboys are always a hot topic nationally, but Owens wasn’t interested in chiming in on the moves being made by Jerry Jones.
“I couldn’t care less about Jerry and what he’s doing,” Owens said.
Owens says the relationship with the organization is frosty because no one there has made an effort to improve it since his departure.
“I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys,” Owens said. “The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization.”
Owens said he is not interested in patching things up.
“No, not necessarily,” Owens said. “I couldn’t care less what’s going on with Jerry and the Cowboys. The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”
Owens said one organization that’s really welcomed him with open arms in retirement is the Buffalo Bills. He only played there for one season in 2009 but has returned multiple times as a guest of the team.
“The Buffalo Bills have been very gracious in inviting me out and involving me in some of their community initiatives,” Owens said. “I went there for a couple of games and for Thurman Thomas’ jersey retirement.”
Owens: I just want what’s best for A.J. Brown
Another rocky tenure for Owens came in Philadelphia, where he played for two seasons before getting suspended and ultimately released.
It’s also been a turbulent past couple years for current Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown, who could reportedly be traded this offseason.
Owens made clear where his interest lies when asked about the situation.
“I just want what’s best for A.J.,” Owens said.
Owens reconnects with Jake Plummer for charity
Owens spoke from the Jake Plummer Pickleball Bash in Tempe, Arizona, where the former Cardinals and Broncos quarterback put on the event to benefit the Good Sport Foundation.
Owens and Plummer faced off numerous times in the NFL and reunited on the pickleball court.
“It’s great to reconnect outside of football,” Owens said. “This is a sport that’s very social. A sport that doesn’t discriminate. I’ve gotten acclimated over the last year or so. He invited me out. It’s great what he’s doing with the Good Sport Foundation. Anytime I can lend my name, image, likeness and my presence to anybody’s foundation for something good, I’ll be available.”
