The second season (season v2.0) of Fan Controlled Football kicked off last weekend, and it brought plenty of entertainment and excitement. It also saw the professional return of Terrell Owens , who scored a touchdown in his FCF debut...
Terrell Owens Scores Late TD for Johnny Manziel's Zappers in FCF Debut
Apr 17, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 16: Terrell Owens #81 of the Zappers warms up prior to the Fan Controlled Football League game against the Shoulda Been Stars on April 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Fan Controlled Football/Getty Images)
Terrell Owens has six Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro nods and three different seasons when he led the league in touchdown receptions on his Hall of Fame resume.
Now he has a touchdown in Fan Controlled Football as well.
THE YEAR? 2022. THE TOUCHDOWN SCORER? TERRELL OWENS.
While Owens' Zappers lost 20-12 in Saturday's game against the Shoulda Been Stars, his presence on the field was the biggest storyline. After all, it's not every day someone who is third on the NFL's all-time list with 15,934 receiving yards and 153 touchdown catches lines up for a team named the Zappers.
His touchdown came right near the end of the game after his team had fallen behind by multiple scores, but he looked the part of a Hall of Famer by elevating and high-pointing a pass in the end zone.
Yet even before he found the end zone, the all-time great was filling the role of veteran leader with his new teammates:
Owens suited up for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals from 1996 through 2010 during a legendary career and believed he could still play in the NFL as recently as last year.
The 48-year-old told TMZ Sports in August, "There's no doubt, 100 percent, that I can play in the National Football League today."
That may be a stretch at this point, but he is at least providing some star power to the Fan Controlled Football league. He's not the only one either, as former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is one of the team owners.
If Owens continues to haul in touchdowns like he did in Saturday's season opener, he will remain appointment viewing in the league.
FCF 2022 Results: Week 1 Scores from Saturday
Apr 16, 2022
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Terrell Owens poses on the red carpet for The Pump Group Soiree at The Beverly Hills Hotel on August 19, 2021 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
Fan Controlled Football's second season began Saturday with a four-game slate that featured the Beasts' 36-20 win over the Glacier Boyz to kick off the festivities.
The day also included Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens' return to professional football.
The 48-year-old Owens, who is third all-time on the NFL's career receiving yards and receiving touchdown lists, is suiting up for the Zappers. He had only one catch but made it count with a leaping touchdown as time ran out in a 20-12 loss.
Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and former Cleveland Browns quarterback, is also on that team. However, he did not play on Saturday.
Other stars of the day included 20-year-old Qwan'Tez Stiggers, who had three interceptions (including a pick-six) for the Beasts. Running back Jakobie Baker also scored four touchdowns for Bored Ape FC.
Here's a look at all the Week 1 action.
Week 1 Scores and Schedule
Beasts 36, Glacier Boyz 20
Bored Ape FC 36, Knights of Degen 32
Shoulda Been Stars 20, Zappers 12
8oki Football Club 28, Kingpins 26
Beasts 36, Glacier Boyz 20
Stiggers was unstoppable Saturday, and his pick-six gave the Beasts a 26-14 lead.
The Glacier Boyz trailed 28-20 after the third Jamiel score and were driving down the field in the final minute, but Mike Lee sealed this game with the Beasts' fourth interception and second pick-six:
Knights of Degen took the lead with a Terelle West rushing touchdown with 56 seconds left for a 30-28 lead. They got the two-point conversion for the 32-28 edge.
Bored Ape FC responded with the game-winning score, though. They sealed the win with an interception in the end zone off a desperation Knights of Degen Hail Mary as time expired.
Shoulda Been Stars 20, Zappers 12
A defensive slugfest ended with Shoulda Been Stars taking home the win, 20-12.
Shun'Cee Thomas opened the scoring for the Zappers with this rushing touchdown.
LaDarius Galloway got Shoulda Been Stars on the board with a rushing touchdown of his own. After a successful two-pointer, Shoulda Been Stars took the lead.
The Zappers ended the game on a high note, though, as Owens went up high for the TD.
8oki Football Club 28, Kingpins 26
While Owens was the day's biggest storyline, he wasn't the grand finale.
The final game of the slate featured a showdown between the 8oki Football Club against Kingpins, and the latter found paydirt first with a quarterback keeper and impressive touchdown throw to end the half:
That seemed to be enough for the 8oki Football Club to start the season on the right foot, but Kingpins came charging back with two late touchdowns.
It was fitting that Foot played the role of hero, and his final pass in the final two seconds went right into his receiver's hands for the game-winning touchdown.
Fan Controlled Football (FCF) is back for season v2.0, and it looks to be bigger and even more exciting than the last. For those unfamiliar with FCF, it's an indoor football league with a twist...
Terrell Owens Says He Lobbied Andy Reid for Chiefs Contract During 2021 Season
Apr 6, 2022
Fomer NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens before an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Terrell Owens hasn't played since the 2010 NFL season, but that didn't stop him from believing he could've helped the Kansas City Chiefs last year.
The Hall of Famer said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show he reached out to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, for whom he played as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, about suiting up in 2021:
— Fan Controlled Sports (@fancontrolled) April 6, 2022
The 48-year-old made it abundantly clear he doesn't want this to be the last stop on his football journey.
"I never really retired," he told Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press. "This is just an opportunity to partner with Fan Controlled Football and what they’re doing, giving guys an opportunity to really play football. And then, hey, you never know. This could be a springboard for those guys to either go to the CFL, NFL, whatever the case may be."
Given his age, an NFL comeback seems unlikely, but that clearly won't stop Owens from trying.
Terrell Owens Leaves Door Open to NFL Return After Announcing That He'll Play in FCF
Apr 6, 2022
CHATTANOOGA, TN - OCTOBER 30: NFL hall of fame inductee and former Chattanooga Moc Terrell Owens on the sideline during the game between the Chattanooga Mocs and the Furman Paladins on October 30, 2021 at Finley stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Terrell Owens hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver isn't shutting the door on getting back in the league.
Speaking to TMZ Sports about joining the Fan Controlled Football League, Owens left open the door to playing in the NFL again.
"If it happens, it happens," he said. "But at the end of the day, like I said, my main focus honestly is to have fun and, like I said, getting paid a little bit."
Despite not playing in the NFL for 12 years, Owens has remained around the game. He served as a team captain for Team Owens against a team led by Michael Vick in the American Flag Football League when the league was formed in 2017.
After trying to put together a workout in October 2011 that no NFL teams attended, Owens joined the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League for the 2012 season.
He had 35 receptions, 420 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games for the Wranglers, but was released midway through the season due to what team owner Jon Frankel called a "lack of effort both on and off the field" when he refused to play in two road games and failed to show up for a scheduled appearance at a children's hospital.
Owens was on the negotiating list for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in July 2018. He didn't reach a deal with the club before the 10-day window closed.
After his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in August 2018, Owens worked out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nothing came of the workout.
Frank Pingue of Reuters reported last week that Owens was coming back to football as a player in the Fan Controlled Football league. It's a seven-on-seven indoor league that allows fans to call plays and make rosters for teams.
In his interview with TMZ, Owens noted he never officially retired from the NFL. The six-time Pro Bowler last played in the league in 2010 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He ranks third in NFL history in both receiving yards (15,934) and touchdowns (153).
Now 48 years old, Owens' odds of reaching the NFL are very slim. But he's at least finding new ways of keeping himself on the radar in case any team wants to bring him in.
Report: Terrell Owens Joins Fan Controlled Football, Will Play with Johnny Manziel
Mar 31, 2022
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Terrell Owens reacts prior to a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens will return to competitive action with Fan Controlled Football in 2022, according to Reuters' Frank Pingue.
Pingue reported the 48-year-old will likely suit up for the Zappers, who include 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. Owens last played in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010.
Per Pingue, the six-time Pro Bowler "is in great shape and wants to show he can still play at a high level."
Fan Controlled Football will reportedly make full use of Owens' boisterous persona and have him wear a microphone and helmet camera during games. He'll also conduct interviews when he isn't suiting up for games.
Fan Controlled Football had its inaugural season in 2021. The competition offers a change of pace from a traditional football game by shrinking the field to 50 yards and only having seven players on each side. Fans also have input on which plays are called.
The now-defunct Wild Aces were crowned champions in 2021 after Ed Crouch scored the game-winning touchdown as time expired in the title game.
T.O. will be the biggest name to play in Fan Controlled Football, which featured Josh Gordon, Shawn Oakman, Deondre Francois and Robert Turbin during the 2021 campaign.
Owens, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2018, is eighth all-time in NFL history in receptions (1,078) and third in receiving yards (15,934).
Terrell Owens: 'I Know I Can' Replace Antonio Brown on Buccaneers After WR's Exit
Jan 5, 2022
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Terrell Owens reacts prior to a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers severed ties with wide receiver Antonio Brown on Sunday, a Hall of Famer has offered his services to replace him.
Terrell Owens said on Tuesday's episode of his Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch podcast that he "absolutely" believes he can be an adequate replacement for Tampa Bay's playoff run.
"I know I can do it. ... Let me go out there and show you," he said (h/t USA Today's Cydney Henderson).
Brown's departure from the Buccaneers is another blow to their receiver corps. Chris Godwin is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL. The 48-year-old Owens said he'd be a perfect fit for a team vying for its second straight Super Bowl win.
"If you think about where they are in the season, they don't need me for a 16-game season," Owens said. "Three to four games at the max. So, yes, I feel like I can go in, I can contribute at a high level and can be productive."
Owens, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, said he's been staying in shape, and he revealed that he's been contacted by an owner who told him to stay ready.
"I've been working out the course of this entire season," Owens said. "There was an owner that reached out to me at the beginning of the season and told me to keep myself in shape just in case anything happens, and I have done that."
Owens was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, his third year of eligibility, following a 15-year career. After Brown's antics Sunday that led to him leaving the Buccaneers, Owens declared there was "no comparison" between the two receivers.
Terrell Owens After Antonio Brown Walkout: There's 'No Comparison' Between Me and Him
Jan 2, 2022
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Terrell Owens reacts prior to a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Antonio Brown is in the headlines once again after walking out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' win against the New York Jets on Sunday midway through the game.
A Twitter user compared Brown to Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens, who was no stranger to drama during his career. Owens swiftly responded and dismissed the notion that he shared any similarities with Brown.
Wow. Respectfully and Disrespectfully, there’s no comparison. Clearly you’ve been drinking the kool-aid. https://t.co/d6th2OAan2
In the third quarter with the Buccaneers trailing, Brown took off his jersey and ran across the field at MetLife Stadium before exiting to the locker room. It wasn't initially clear what prompted his actions, but Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians told Fox Sports' Jay Glazer after the game that Brown refused to play, so he told him to get out.
It's not the first time this season that Brown has caused a distraction for Tampa Bay. He was suspended for three games for violating the NFL's COVID-19 protocols after it was found he had a fake vaccination card.
Owens had his fair share of team-related and on-field antics during his career. He grew disgruntled with the San Francisco 49ers and forced the team to trade him. After joining the Philadelphia Eagles, it didn't take long for him to sour his relationship with quarterback Donovan McNabb and the rest of the organization. He was released two years into a seven-year contract.
Owens was known for his controversial touchdown celebrations, which often drew the ire of his opponents. In 2006, he was fined $35,000 for spitting in the face of cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Owens also holds the distinction of being the only Hall of Famer to skip the ceremony in Canton, Ohio, and instead hold his own celebration. After he wasn't elected to the Hall of Fame in his first two years of eligibility, Owens opted to host a part for his 2018 induction at McKenzie Arena on the campus of his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
