Terrell Owens

Elected to the Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility, Owens refused to attend the official ceremony in Canton and organised his own celebration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, an unprecedented choice for a living, healthy inductee.

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Directly implicated

The Indoor Football League's Allen Wranglers announced Owens's release and termination of his equity interest, accusing him notably of refusing to play certain away games and missing a charity appearance at a children's hospital.

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Directly implicated

Reports described tensions between Owens and teammates, notably over his belief that Tony Romo favoured Jason Witten in the passing game. The Cowboys ended his contract in March 2009 after three seasons.

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Directly implicated

Owens admitted on the radio that he had spat in the face of Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall during a game. The NFL fined him $35,000 without imposing a suspension.

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Admitted by the person

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Directly implicated

A promotional introduction showed Nicollette Sheridan dropping a towel in front of Owens in a changing room before Monday Night Football. The sequence prompted complaints about sexual content and stereotypes, and ABC apologised.

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Following contractual and media tensions, criticism notably directed at Donovan McNabb and a reported altercation with Hugh Douglas, Philadelphia suspended Owens for four games for conduct detrimental to the team and then deactivated him for the rest of the season. The players' union filed a grievance.

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After scoring against Seattle, Owens took a marker from his sock, signed the ball and handed it to a spectator. The sequence provoked debate about individual showmanship and respect for the game.

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After two touchdowns in Dallas, Owens ran to celebrate on the star at midfield, triggering a confrontation with George Teague and major controversy. The 49ers suspended him for one game and withheld one week's pay.

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Directly implicated