ReutersWhen the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League expressed a publicity-stunt interest in receiver Terrell Owens, it was worthy of a mention here. “T.O. seems to be desperate for attention and/or relevance and/or fodder for his latest reality show venture,” I wrote at the time, “and we’ll find out just how desperate he is if he chooses to accept the offer, with the reality TV cameras in tow.”
As it turns out, T.O. may be aiming even lower than the top of the indoor football food chain. According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, Owens could soon be signing with the Allen Wranglers of the IFL. Owner Jon Frankel said that the discussions with agent Drew Rosenhaus were “far from conversation” and that Owens is “significantly closer” to joining the Wranglers than he was a month ago.
The team also has declared its desire to sign Owens on the Wranglers’ official website. “The compensation package, which is within the rules of the Indoor Football League, would be $250,000 up to $500,000,” the website states.
Owens reportedly needs money, and there’s apparently no one else offering him that kind of money to do anything else right now.
“It doesn’t make a ton of financial sense, but it would make it the No. 1 fan experience in Collin County,” Frankel said. “The awareness of the team would skyrocket and I would imagine we’d sell out every game.”
The 38-year-old wideout has drawn no interest from NFL teams after tearing an ACL in the offseason. “At first everybody thought it was a big joke but it wasn’t a big joke,” Wranglers coach Pat Pimmel said. “It’s serious. It’s real close. I think it will be within the next week or so. He would have never got his agent involved in it if he wasn’t thinking about it. He can still play, you know that.”
The Wranglers open their 2012 season on February 25. Their General Manager is Drew Pearson, who like T.O. once played for the Dallas Cowboys. Unlike T.O., Pearson will be joining the team’s Ring of Honor.
If it’s indeed close and if the Wranglers hope to get the deal done, why are they taking it public now? It’s possible that Owens was interested in sending up a trial balloon, and that he’ll make a final decision based on the full extent of the lo-how-the-mighty-have-fallen reaction to the news. Or maybe the Wranglers, sensing that an NFL team may be interested in signing Owens for the postseason, are trying to scare off potential suitors by attaching even more baggage to T.O. Just yesterday, Owens was stumping for a roster spot with the 49ers on (where else?) Twitter.
Either way, it’s odd that the Wranglers would disclose such a stunning, unusual strategy before the ink dries on the contract. If T.O. didn’t approve of the tactic, the Wranglers may have scared Owens away.
Then again, there’s still no one else offering him $250,000 to $500,000 right now.
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Getcha popcorn ready…NOT.
Randy Moss and TO combined to go out with the biggest whimper in sports history.
Nothing spells desperation like the IFL.
“Unlike T.O., Pearson will be joining the team’s Ring of Honor.”
Hm. Says a lot, doesn’t it?
I think T.O. will eventually get his HOF call, he hadn’t had any real off field issues (other than being a jacka$% diva).
He had a significant wake up call this season and has if anything, has learned some humility. Harbaugh wanted nothing to do with him, despite his tweet to former Bills teammate Donte Whitner.
Desperado……
I’d be willing to pay to watch a former NFL star run wild against sandlot talent. Well, maybe not pay but I’d watch the highlights on YouTube. If I was reminded.
Hope he doesn’t meet any of the people on the way down that he was nasty to on the way up. What goes around comes around. Adios MF.
So what. . . .
Drew Pearson pushed off.
T.O. Is so irrelevant. Who cares.
T.O. could soon be signing with the who of the what??
The publicity stunt already worked, I had no idea there was another indoor football league, now I know.
Who is this “T.O.” person you speak of? Didn’t he used to be someone? No, that must be someone else I’m thinking of…
Next question!
Tiki is flabbergasted..
he will probly wear lingerie in the IFL.
T.O. Joins the IFL, two days later the IFL folds.
The Guy is poison.
That’s a shame. T.O. still has some left in the tank. If he didn’t have the history of being a team cancer, he could have signed with somebody after the injury to end his career with dignity.
He needs to “Wrangle” some child support……
“WTF” is the “IFL”?
The Wranglers should sign Favre.
Sad is the only thing that comes to mind. T.O. should be a lesson on what not to do for all young athletes. Work hard and be a good teammate or you will end up in the IFL kids…
I dislike Owens, but can you imagine how bad he’s gonna torch the guys in that league haha
$250,000 to $500,000 ???
cant argue with that
These athletes really need to hire financial managers. Someone other than one of their homies from back home. How the hell can T.O. need money??? He had to make at least 25million during his career. i would live comfortably 4 life after a first rounders 4 year rookie contract.
The tiki comment is getting old. Nice try though.
I’m an electrician. I had an apprentice on a job a year ago that was a linebacker in that league.
Good kid.
I doubt I could find anything TO could do, though.
I’m not sure he could pass the exam to enter the apprenticeship….
I look forward to him spiking the ball on the logo at the 25 yard line (midfield) of their primary rival, the hated Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
P.S. Couldn’t happen to a better guy
Funny, yet sad. Nah, just funny.
Report: Sanchez should be joining the IFL.
“Get’yer popcorn ready! Only $10. C’mon guys, I have illegitimate children to support.”
Another athlete who made millions and is desperate for money. When will it stop?
I don’t care. I don’t care if he joins the circus. He shouldn’t be written about anymore.
The IFL has a team called the Beef. This team has male cheerleaders called the Rumproasters.
This is something everyone here should know.
Even after everything that went down here in Philly , I can’t get any joy from watching T.O.’s career go down this road. ’04 was just too great a ride.
He might as well play for the IFL as he needs the money. And if he performs well enough, he might get on an NFL or more likely CFL team’s radar for next season. The bigger question is how long he can keep his mouth shut.
IFL, does that stand for Irrelevant Football League?
To is desperate.
Who or what is an IFL?
How much does dignity cost ?
Can anyone say: Shameless publicity stunt!
I thought Drew Pearson hates T.O.!!
I am not kidding!!! Pearson ripped T.O. on ‘The Michael Irvin Show’ when the Cowboys cut him and said that Dez Bryant should not be like him!!!
I honestly do not see this happening!!! If the IFL has this kind of money for Owens why have we not seen other players join???
We saw NFL players go to Arena Football during the lockout to make money. This report looks bogus!!! Why? It does not look like a big revenue generator!!!!
I live in Allen and didn’t even know there is a team!
I F L
I’ ve F allen and i can’t get up L eague.
The guy just wants to play ball and he knows the clock is ticking, he’s got no quit in him. Like him or hate him you’ve got to admire that……… right Randy Moss?
Wow! Drew Rosenhaus must be some agent!!! It would not surprise me if this deal was a scam!!
Look at the UFL!!! How did that go???
Drew got Chad a bad deal!!! He will get DeSean Jackson less money than expected!!! Now this!!!
Players, do not ever sign with Rosenhaus!!! He is a phony legal advisor and his presence will only lead you to trouble!!!
T.O., dude, just go to court and get your child support adjusted to your current wage. It takes like an hour.
I’m torn as to which extended-channel cable reality show T.O. would be mor amusing on… Gold Rush, Pawn Stars or Lizard Lick Towing. I think Gold Rush…. send him to the Yukon and hand him a shovel. Anything football-related at this point would be just as fictional.
If this fails, Too Old is headed for the His & Hers Exotic Lingerie League. Also known as H.E.L.L.
Earlier, T.O. had a brief tryout with the Lame Oldtimers League. They just laughed him off.
I don’t get why a NFL team does not sign this guy for the minimum.. I mean really this guy has not caused any problems in a long time. He was a solid WR in Buffalo and he did not complain when the team was losing..
If I was a team like the 49ers I would absolutely pick him up for peanuts. He can catch the ball, He is a big WR and that would be great for Alex Smith.
I wish the Raiders would take him, I think he would be great for the Raiders in the playoffs. I thought once Raiders got Palmer he would end up there but maybe Palmer did not like him cause instead he took TJ HOUZ YO MAMMA instead as a guy he feels chemistry with..
It worked out for TJ who is having a Monster year for what he has played. He made some clutch catches..
Plus if T.O wanted a ring this year he would want to join Oakland since they are winning the super bowl this year
who cares? why gives this over the hill cancer any pub? TO = Too Old.
4512dawg4512 says:
Dec 29, 2011 9:02 PM
The guy just wants to play ball and he knows the clock is ticking, he’s got no quit in him. Like him or hate him you’ve got to admire that……… right Randy Moss?
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If you say so, dude. More like he’s broke as nuts and this is the only way he’ll make any dough. If it were up to him I’m sure he’d be on a never-ending reality show.
Damn! Now, maybe T.O. should reconsider playing for the IFL and instead go for minor-league arena football. If he came to Richmond, he could sign with both of our minor-league arena football teams and play in two different leagues at once. Or, he could just play with himself. Same difference, I guess.
iambadkid2 says:
Dec 29, 2011 8:05 PM
Drew Pearson pushed off
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Dec. 28, 1975 And to think that the nauseating lavender Larry excrement balls are still haunted by that day just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Pearson should have been given a Presidential award for meritorious service for keeping the integrity of the NFL from being sullied by a sad sack 3rd rate expansion franchise riddled with a criminal element.
Tiki is flabbergasted, but is considering joining The Player in the IFL.
All those bridges he burned has left him where you’d expect – all alone on an island aka the IFL.
Who watches the IFL?
TO shouldn’t “need” money, he was paid well for trashing every QB he worked with.
This must be the semi-pro league with a cool name.
$250,000 to $500,000 to play in the IFL? Two words: no way.
Atleast T.O. will feel young again playing on a high school football field.
Awesome… that means until MSNBC has an IFLT, we won’t have to hear about him, right?
Damn….It was all good just a week ago
It worked for Curt Warner.
Uh…. hmmm… Chicago is a long way from San Francisco.
paulyshore1 says: Dec 29, 2011 8:29 PM
The tiki comment is getting old. Nice try though.
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Getting old?!?!? Uhh dude that’s like saying George Burns from the Simpsons is getting old. That Tiki joke is dirt old! Another reason why lame white people shouldn’t be allowed to be comedians on a football site. Get some new material guys! I bet 99% of you don’t even realize Tiki NEVER even said that. Peter King paraphrased and put his own spin on it.
Hey do me a favor and thumbs down this post if you’re lame, goofy and white – and being on this site posting weak jokes makes you feel athletic?!?
Can we get an article on how much money he’s made in his career and some sort of explanation on why he seems to be broke now? That’s the real story
Glad to see I’m not the only one who hasn’t heard of the IFL.
What! TO is going to MMA! I thought that the International Fight League didn’t exist anymore, Oh wait…..
That’s just embarrasing. Sorry TO but your days are over. Go back to reality tv. That’s your only career now.
I think 2 of my buddies play for that team and they never played any football before.
Karma is a mugg
It seems wierd that t.o. is done with the nfl without ever playin a down with the raiders doesent it?
Ahahaha… Ahahaha!
These guys make millions per year, for decades, and they need money? Does bling really cost that much?
Makes sense, there is an ‘I’ in IFL.
Karma is a b!tch when it comes around for payback!!!