Terrell Owens points to NFL as reason he’s not playing in league at 50

LAS VEGAS – At 50, Terrell Owens looks like he might be fit enough to play in the NFL.

The Hall of Fame receiver said there’s no doubt.

“It’s all about the condition that you put yourself in,’’ Owens told USA TODAY Sports Saturday. “I’ve been able to take care of my body.  

“If you think about the playoffs, a lot of these games are won by third downs and obviously red-zone situations. Could I go out and play 70 snaps right now? Absolutely not. But I’d be a viable option if I were on the team, that’s for sure.’’

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He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, amassing 15,934 receiving yards and 153 receiving touchdowns on 1,078 catches. His last NFL catch came in 2010, and he blames the league for there being no more since.

“They blackball you and they don’t put your name in the good graces of a lot of organizations,’’ he said.

In the past, Owens has compared his situation to Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback who protested during the national anthem throughout the 2017 season and never again played in the league.

On Saturday, Owens simply pointed to the process of his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. He was not voted in until 2018, his third year of eligibility.

“And you see since 2018, you’ve seen guys with stats not even as great as mine get in on the first go-around,’’ said Owens, who turned 50 in December. “So that speaks volumes in itself.’’

What also spoke volumes: Owens skipped the induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio and delivered his speech at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he played from 1992 to 1995.

In 2022, Owens played for Fan Controlled Football, a 7-on-7 indoor league, and he scored at least two touchdowns, according to published reports.

Fan Controlled Football canceled its season in 2023.