While Terrell Owens will go down in NFL history as one of the greatest wide receivers, his electrifying on-field abilities are only half the story. The veteran wideout has earned a reputation for being one of football’s most outspoken voices, who never shies away from sharing his opinions. Hence, when asked about his time with the Dallas Cowboys, TO didn’t mince any words.

“I couldn’t care less about Jerry Jones,” Terrell Owens said during an interview with Action Network. “I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys. The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization. The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”

Owens’ startling response stems from his tumultuous tenure with the Cowboys, which started in 2006 after a two-year stint with divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. TO signed a 3-year, $25 million deal, including a $5 million signing bonus, with a $5 million first-year salary, which definitely shocked the world. Back in 2000, Owens pulled an infamous stunt while playing for the 49ers. He celebrated two separate touchdowns by running to the midfield star at Texas Stadium.

The game turned into must-watch TV and stamped Owens as one of the most controversial players in football. Even after that incident, both he and Jerry Jones mutually decided to move on.

“Some learning experience, some life learning experiences that I experienced last year,” Owens said, “both personally and professionally and you know I’m going to put those things behind me. Those things can only make a man be stronger.”

While playing for America’s Team, Owens recorded at least 1,050 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his three seasons. In 2007, TO brought his A-game, posting 81 receptions, 1,355 yards, and 15 touchdowns. At 34 years old, he earned a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro First Team honors, which is a rarity for NFL wide receivers. But despite this success, TO’s time with the Cowboys came to an abrupt ending for various reasons.

There was no doubt that he was an asset for the team, which earned him an extension during the 2008 season, paying him a $12.9 million bonus, which should have kept him under contract through 2011. However, that didn’t happen as TO was cut ahead of the 2009 season. During that time, Jerry’s main focus was restoring morale in a locker room that had become increasingly toxic.

Firstly, Owens often harped on the play calling of then-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. According to Owens, Garrett undermined both him and Wade Phillips so he could get the head coaching job in Dallas. He even went on to challenge his integrity as a coach.

“Same issue I had with Garrett when he felt I threw him under the bus after we went 13-3 the year before & we needed to change our plays,” Owens wrote on X. “Teams game planned Dak after his 1st year but Garrett doesn’t know how to make adjustments. Can’t keep running same plays over & over & over.”

Apart from that, Owens has publicly blamed Garrett for leaking details from a private 2008 meeting to ESPN. In that meeting, Terrell Owens reportedly said the offense was phasing him out in favor of Jason Witten. This development ruined the whole environment of the Cowboys’ locker room. He reportedly became frustrated with both the franchise and quarterback Tony Romo, despite often defending Romo during press conferences.

Terrell Owens ruined his relationship with quarterback Tony Romo after believing Romo favored Jason Witten. That led to a practice-field dustup between Owens and Witten. That’s why when the season ended, the Cowboys chose to move on from Owens, despite the salary-cap promises. Jerry even documented the breakup on a restaurant tablecloth with a Sharpie to show the “parting of ways.” But Owens was shocked by the move, claiming Jones said he wasn’t in danger of being cut.

“You hear all the speculation, and you talk to the owner of the team, and he reassures you, you’re not going anywhere, and then, out of left field… You get blindsided,” Owens said during an interview with ESPN in 2009.

The team later issued a statement announcing the release of Owens and veteran safety Roy Williams.

“In the aftermath of the season, we talked about change,” Jones said in the statement. “Some of what is changing involves the process and some of it involves people. This is a decision that was made based upon consideration for an entire team.”

Dallas was T.O.’s third team, and each team released him because of his personality rather than his performance. He had a similar relationship with his first time in the NFL, the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. Owens, across his eight seasons with the red and gold, still stands second with 592 catches, 8,572 receiving yards, and 81 touchdowns.

However, in 2003, the Niners and Owens had a harsh falling out because of a tumultuous relationship with the team and a contractual dispute where his agent missed a filing deadline, allowing the team to trade him to Baltimore. But now, both parties have made amends, which led to the 49ers honoring him with a statue in the franchise’s Museum. Hence, when asked about San Francisco’s new signing, Mike Evans, TO shared some advice about how the star receiver can stay healthy.

Terrell Owens advises Mike Evans ahead of his 49ers stint

The San Francisco 49ers made a statement signing by roping in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans this offseason. While many celebrated the move, critics questioned the signing because the 32-year-old suffered an injury during the 2025 season. Evans suffered significant injuries, missing nine games for the Buccaneers last season.

He sustained a hamstring strain in Week 2 and a broken collarbone (clavicle) during a Week 8 game against the Detroit Lions. These issues hampered his performance and interrupted his record-breaking 1,000-yard season streak. Hence, when asked to evaluate this move, Terrell Owens issued clear advice for the new Niners wideout.

“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 interview with Action Network. “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.”

Terrell Owens remains one of the most polarizing figures in NFL history, with strong opinions to match his legendary production. His complicated history with the Cowboys and 49ers defined his legacy off the field, while he continues to offer candid advice to the next generation of receivers like Mike Evans.