TO's B-Day

[Danny White]

I'm sure someone else has posted this already, but I didn't see it, and thought since it was pretty funny, I'd share it:

T.O.'s birthday bash guest list includes NFL stars
By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
December 13, 2005

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Terrell Owens doesn't need to score touchdowns to celebrate.

Exiled from the Philadelphia Eagles last month, the All-Pro wide receiver known for his flamboyant end zone theatrics hosted a birthday party Monday night at rapper Jay-Z's 40-40 club. T.O. turned 32 on Dec. 7.

The bash drew several NFL stars, some of Owens' former teammates on the Eagles and a few celebrities.

Among the celebrities on the guest list were Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, former Bears coach Mike Ditka, Commanders running back Clinton Portis and Commanders wide receiver Santana Moss also were invited. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was a surprise name on the list -- he and Owens feuded last year when Owens spurned a trade from San Francisco to Baltimore.

Owens arrived shortly before midnight, wearing a white suit. "Everything's great. It's a party," he said. "I have everything I want. My mom's here."

Owens posed for pictures and went inside. Neither he nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, answered questions from reporters.

Irvin led the crowd in a rendition of "Happy Birthday," holding a celebratory cake up for Owens to see. After the singing was over, Owens addressed the revelers.

"I'm still a Philadelphia Eagle until the end of the year," he said. "I love Philly, I love my teammates and thank you to everybody who came here tonight and showed me their love."

He added: "I ain't ever going to let anyone change me. I will be back."

A day earlier, the reigning conference champion Eagles were eliminated from playoff contention with their sixth loss in seven games. Jevon Kearse and Lito Sheppard were among the 11 Eagles who had arrived at the party by 11:15. By one count, there were 19 Eagles at the party, including players on injured reserve and the practice squad.

None of the players were concerned that management would have a problem with them attending the party.

"It's a wonderful event and I'm just showing some support," Kearse said. "He's a wonderful teammate."

Receiver Darnerien McCants was the first Eagles player to arrive. He was followed by tight ends L.J. Smith, Stephen Spach and Andy Thorn, injured linebacker Greg Richmond and injured running back Brian Westbrook.

No, Donovan McNabb didn't show up in his dancing shoes, even though he also was invited. The injured quarterback and Owens have feuded since the Eagles lost to New England in the Super Bowl last February.

Scantily clad women wearing different colored No. 81 jerseys with question marks representing the team name provided some of the entertainment for the guests.

The party invitations arrived last week and were shaped like a penalty flag. They read: "There's a flag on the play? After further review, No. 81 is at it again."

"It's a party. It's a celebration of another year of life," said Kim Etheredge, Owens' publicist.

"I would go to battle with T.O. any day of the week. A lot of people don't understand him," said former Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell, one of the early arrivals.

Owens still is officially a member of the Eagles, but he was banned from team activities and sent home for good last month.

Owens was suspended Nov. 5 after he again criticized McNabb, called the organization "classless" and fought with former teammate Hugh Douglas. Two days later, the Eagles extended the suspension to four games and told Owens not to return.

On Nov. 23, an arbitrator upheld the decision, ruling that the Eagles were justified in their actions.

The Eagles deactivated Owens twice already as planned and will do so for the final three games. They'll likely trade or release Owens before March, when he's due a $5 million roster bonus.

Owens' suspension without pay cost him $764,706 of his $3.25 million base salary for this season. He is owed $955,882 over the final five games.

The Eagles informed Owens he must repay $1.725 million of the $2.3 million signing bonus he received in March 2004. The NFL Players' Association filed a grievance against the Eagles last Tuesday, claiming the team breached Owens' contract by trying to get back part of the bonus and by leaving him inactive for the rest of the season.

Owens has five years remaining on a seven-year, $48.97 million contract that he signed when he came to Philadelphia last year. His problems started when he demanded a new contract after an outstanding season in which he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 24 years.

Owens was kicked out of training camp for one week after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid that followed a shouting match with offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

Owens also annoyed the Eagles by violating the dress code on road trips, parking in coaches' spots at the team's practice facility and sleeping through one team meeting, not bringing his playbook to another and refusing to open the playbook at another meeting.

One day after the Eagles banished him, a contrite Owens pleaded for another chance in a public apology outside his home in Moorestown, but the team was unmoved.

Owens was set to earn base salaries of $770,000 in 2006, $5.5 million in 2007, $6.5 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009, and $8.5 million in 2010.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Owens' party in A.C. draws NFL brethren


By SUSAN LULGJURAJ Staff Writer, (609) 272-7187
Published: Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Updated: Tuesday, December 13, 2005

ATLANTIC CITY-A family reunion is a funny sort of thing. There are your favorite cousins, your crazy Uncle Sal and your Aunt Edna who constantly pinches your cheeks.

All in all, it's a fun time. But, inevitably there is going to be a fight when the parents start bragging about their children.

Terrell Owens's birthday party, which took place at the 40/40 Club in Atlantic City, is like that. Teammates he once angered, friends he once fought came out Monday night to celebrate Owens' 32nd birthday, which was Dec. 7.

"Everyone wants to say that football is a family sport. A lot of families watch football," said former teammate Derek Deese of the San Francisco 49ers. "But there are a lot of families that don't get along, but at the end of the day you still love each other. That's like a football team."

Deese wasn't the only former teammate who partied with Owens. Former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell arrived early with a gaggle of women on his arms.

"I'd go to bat with him any day," said Mitchell, who claimed to get Owens a new yacht that is docked in Rio de Janeiro. "People don't realize the love of the sport he has. There are a lot of people here tonight that love T.O."

Soon-to-be former teammate Jevon Kearse and Lito Sheppard were in attendance along with football stars Clinton Portis, Santana Moss and Laveranues Coles.

Receiver Darnerien McCants was the first Eagles player to arrive. He was followed by tight ends L.J. Smith, Stephen Spach and Andy Thorn and injured linebacker Greg Richmond. Eleven Eagles had arrived by 11:15 p.m., the Associated Press reported.

However, many of celebrities weren't expected arrive till close to midnight, but that's not a problem for a city that's always on.

Owens arrived shortly before midnight, according to the AP. He wore a white suit. "Everything's great. It's a party," he said. "I have everything I want. My mom's here."

Owens posed for pictures and went inside. Neither he nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, answered questions from reporters.

Just because it was Owens' birthday didn't mean his current status with the Eagles wasn't a thought.

Owens hired actors and models from the Icon Modeling and Acting Agency in Philadelphia to dance at his party while they wore Owens' shirts with his No. 81. The shirts were different colors and there were question marks where the team name was supposed to be.

Owens, who stopped at Tropicana Casino and Resort before he appeared at rapper mogul Jay Z's night club, was suspended and, then, deactivated from the Eagles' roster for the remainder of the season.

Also on the guest list were the Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin and actors Jamie Foxx and Will Smith

Singer Fantasia, of American Idol fame, was supposed to sing Happy Birthday to Owens but had to cancel her appearance for personal reasons.

(Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press contributed to this story.)

To e-mail Susan Lulgjuraj at The Press:

SLulgjuraj@pressofac.com

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/v-front_top_tab_data/story/5764115p-5781180c.html

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I wonder if Reid, Banner and Lurie were invited. :

 

[jacs]

I'm sure someone else has posted this already, but I didn't see it, and thought since it was pretty funny, I'd share it:

The sad thing is that BSPN during sports center they showed the list and i freaking watched it

 

[TobiasEagle77]

As much as I dislike TO (not personally, I don't know him) I would go to his party if I was invited. I'm sure he would have invited me, but he was probably scared of the rejection.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Were party boats involved?