NFL: Dallas Cowboys release Terrell Owens

Atlanta Falcons

NFL: Dallas Cowboys release Terrell Owens

Photos of NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens' career following announcement that Dallas Cowboys released him March 2009.

Terrell Owens' days in Dallas are done, according to ESPN. ESPN cited anonymous sources Wednesday night in saying that the Cowboys have decided to cut the receiver, ridding them of a big locker-room distraction but also absorbing a big hit on their salary cap. - AP

Just a few weeks ago, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) indicated that T.O. was staying when he said, "You and I both know that the one that you're asking about all the time, if I gave you the answer that you want to hear, then you would've already had it. So the fact you don't have it ought to tell you something. It really should." - AP

Jones seemed to enjoy the publicity Owens (right, vs. the Falcons in 2006) stirred up as much as the touchdowns he scored. However, there were several in-house issues involving Owens that may have ultimately prompted Jones to decide the receiver wasn't worth the trouble he caused. - AP

While Dallas QB Tony Romo (left) also will be without the recipient of most his touchdown passes, he also will no longer have to make sure T.O. has enough passes his way to make him happy. Whether that was perception or reality will no longer matter either. - AP

During the 2005 season, Owens was suspended indefinitely by the Philadelphia Eagles after he criticized the organization for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch. The Eagles issued a statement that said Owens was suspended "for conduct detrimental to the team."

Owens apologized in a statement and later on his weekly radio show, but the damage in Philly - especially with fans - already was done.

Owens exited Philadelphia in typical dramatic fashion, holding a bizarre press conference at his Moorestown, N.J. home.

Owens' flashy on-field antics matched his brash locker room pronouncements. While in San Francisco, he publicly feuded with then-49ers QB Jeff Garcia. After leaving the team, Owens created controversy by insinuating in an Playboy Magazine interview that Garcia was homosexual.

Still, Owens remains popular. The star receiver signed copies of his 2006 book "T.O." near Atlanta for a throng of local fans.

Off the field, Owens is among the NFL players who has remained out of trouble with the law. He's into meditation and yoga, an interesting dichotomy for such a publicly outspoken sports figure.

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Terrell Owens' days in Dallas are done, according to ESPN. ESPN cited anonymous sources Wednesday night in saying that the Cowboys have decided to cut the receiver, ridding them of a big locker-room distraction but also absorbing a big hit on their salary cap. - AP

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