Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens announced he will not attend his own Hall of Fame induction. The ceremony will be held in its usual place in Canton, Ohio, on August 4. The 2018 induction ceremony will also involve former general manager Bobby Beathard, who led his teams to seven Super Bowl appearances, as well as players Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, and Brian Urlacher. A report by ESPN has confirmed his decision.

Owens provided a statement on his decision not to attend the ceremony

Ownes tweeted out a statement that he had declined his invitation to the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony saying with the tweet "Sincerely, #81."

In part, Owens says, "While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton."

The former NFLer says he has told the Hall of Fame about his intentions, and furthermore, Owens has decided that he will celebrate his induction at a different time and a different place.

Longtime NFL assistant George Stewart will be the presenter at Owens' personal event. Stewart was his receivers coach during his time with the 49ers. David Baker, NFL Hall of Fame president, said in a statement, that he was disappointed about Owens' decision to take a pass on the enshrinement, but they were still focused on the event ahead.

Owens has been indifferent to the Hall of Fame's selection board

This year is actually Owens' third try to get into the Hall of Fame. Owens has been a candidate since 2016 but was not selected then nor in 2017. After not being selected he had criticised the board of selectors. But he has stayed in the spotlight for other reasons. And at the time of his 2016 and 2017 snubs, it was reported that Owens was not getting into the Hall because he was a bad teammate during his playing years.

In 2017, Vic Carucci, a sportswriter and Hall of Fame voter from Buffalo News wrote: "...people with whom I have spoken about have: He was a horrible teammate." Well, third time is a charm in this case, but Owens will not be there to see his bust revealed at the ceremony.

Owens was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

He accumulated 1,078 receptions, 15,934 receiving yards, and 153 receiving touchdowns. Over his 15-year career, eight seasons being with the 49ers, he played with the Philidelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals.
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