49-Year-Old Terrell Owens Could Actually Play in NFL Playoffs
Dustin Baker
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What feels like an Onion story may actually come to fruition.
Hall of Famer wide receiver Terrell Owens could be on his way back to the NFL — at the age of 49. And it’s not a joke. NFL insider Dov Kleiman tweeted Wednesday, “49-year-old free agent WR Terrell Owens has been in contact with the Cowboys about rejoining the team and NFL.”
Kleiman quoted Owens’ agent as saying, “We’ve been in constant communication with Jerry Jones’ office over the last few days about the possibility of him returning.”
Owens last played in an NFL game on December 19th, 2010. From a Minnesota Vikings perspective, Justin Jefferson was in fifth grade. It was also the day before Brett Favre played his final NFL game. But the Cowboys evidently don’t mind and appear poised to give Owens a look. If Owens signs on Jerry Jones’ dotted line, he’d instantly become the oldest player ever to set foot in an NFL game.
49-Year-Old Terrell Owens Could Actually Play in NFL Playoffs
The Seattle Seahawks last gave Owens an audition — 10 years ago. Adrian Peterson was about to run wild on the league, and Owens was vying for a roster spot with the Seahawks. But on August 26th, 2012, Seattle parted ways with then-future Hall of Famer.
Since, Owens has tried on many goofy things for size, including a stint in the Indoor Football League, the American Flag Football League, Canadian Football League, and Fan Controlled Football. The man cannot surrender the gridiron.
At wide receiver, Dallas employs CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Noah Brown, T.Y. Hilton, James Washington, KaVontae Turpin, and Jalen Tolbert. It is unclear why the Cowboys would need eight wideouts on the gameday roster. The Vikings typically have five.
Still, Jones is evidently intrigued by Owens, whether to generate hype, jersey sales, or honest-to-goodness on-the-field production. There is no precedent whatsoever for a player returning to the game after 12 years away — let alone one nearing age 50.
The Cowboys are 11-4 through 16 weeks, basically locked in the NFC’s No. 5 seed, barring an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse. Dallas is virtually assured to travel to Tampa Bay or Carolina in Round 1 of the playoffs unless the Eagles lose their next two games. So, if you believe Kleiman and Jones’ agent, that game could involve Owens.
Owens played for the Cowboys from 2006 to 2008, also known as the Bill Parcells era. Dallas, with Owens, Parcells, and Tony Romo, reached the playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
On the NFL’s all-time receiving yards leaderboard, Owens ranks third with 15,934 yards, trailing only Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald. Owens is the guy one spot ahead of Randy Moss on the list. Owens also ranks third all-time via receiving touchdowns behind Rice and Moss.
Owens will turn 50 next December.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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