SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Terrell Owens won't be celebrating
anything this Sunday.
Owens, San Francisco's top receiver, was fined a week's salary
and suspended for a game by coach Steve Mariucci on Monday for his
touchdown celebrations during the 49ers' victory at Dallas.
|  | | Terrell Owens celebrates his second-quarter touchdown against the Cowboys at midfield. |
After both of his touchdowns in the 41-24 victory at Texas
Stadium, Owens sprinted to midfield and celebrated on the Cowboys'
star logo. Some of his teammates said the displays fired them up,
but others said Owens embarrassed them.
"This decision is based on how we intend to conduct
ourselves," Mariucci said. "It disturbs me when the integrity of
the game is compromised in any way, shape or form."
Owens will lose $24,294 and won't be allowed to practice or meet
with his teammates this week. San Francisco (1-3) plays Arizona at
home Sunday.
Mariucci said he spoke to the league office about his decision
to discipline Owens, and he didn't know whether the NFL planned to
level its own fine or suspension as well.
Owens, a five-year veteran best known for his game-winning TD
catch with 3 seconds left in a 1999 playoff game against Green
Bay, is San Francisco's leading receiver this season with 23
catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns.
On Sunday, Emmitt Smith responded to Owens' first outburst with
his own midfield celebration after a 1-yard TD just before
halftime.
When Owens caught a 1-yard TD pass with 4:05 left to make it
41-17, he again took off toward midfield. Dallas safety George
Teague followed Owens and leveled him as he kneeled on the logo,
touching off a heated confrontation between the teams.
Teague was ejected, while Owens received a penalty for taunting
but was not ejected. The victory was San Francisco's first in four
games this season.
"T.O. is a guy who likes to celebrate, and this time it just
got a little out of hand," quarterback Jeff Garcia said. "I don't
agree with things like that. When great things happen, we celebrate
as a team."
The 49ers said the punishment wasn't technically a suspension,
and Owens will be left on the team's 53-man roster. Owens' absence
will mean additional playing time for receivers Jerry Rice, J.J.
Stokes and Tai Streets.
"Terrell is a different kind of guy," Rice said. "He plays on
a lot of emotion. This has to be very difficult. Hopefully, with
this little break, he can think over the situation and just be
better."
Mariucci said Owens' unrepentant attitude following his
celebrations "didn't help." Though Owens apologized to his
teammates after the game, he told reporters he didn't regret his
actions, and would do it again.
"(Mariucci) told me to handle it with class, that I should go
in the end zone and act like I've been there," Owens said Sunday.
"But I'm my own person. I bring my own emotion to the game, and I
can't let him take away from my game."
Mariucci said he didn't confront Owens about his first touchdown
celebration because he didn't see it. Still, Owens apologized to
his teammates after the game and admitted the 49ers have warned him
about exhibiting poor sportsmanship in the past.
"They've told me that since I've been here, but ... that's the
way I play," Owens said. "I think everybody wants me to follow in
Jerry's footsteps, act with class. Jerry has the style of game he
plays, I've got my style of game that I play."
Owens, when told of Mariucci's decision on Monday morning,
apparently didn't take it well. Team officials indicated he left
the 49ers' Santa Clara headquarters in anger.
"I can't compromise our rules and values and the way we
approach the game," Mariucci said.
Raiders receiver Andre Rison said he had dinner with Owens at a
San Francisco restaurant Sunday night, and "we laughed about it,"
Rison said.
"I don't think Terrell was wrong," he said. "Everybody has
their own emotions."
The Raiders visit the 49ers on Oct. 8, the next game in which
Owens will be allowed to play.
| |
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VIDEO
  Terrell Owens sounds off in a telephone conference call Tuesday. wav: 337 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Steve Mariucci says Terrell Owens crossed the line. wav: 295 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Steve Mariucci is upset at his players behavior during Sunday's game against Dallas. wav: 249 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Terrell Owens is asked what coach Steve Mariucci said to him about celebrating on the field. wav: 132 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mike Tirico talks with Chris Mortensen about Terrell Owens' suspension by the 49ers. wav: 702 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Terrell Owens explains his celebration tactics on the Dallas star. wav: 198 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Tom Jackson gives his perspective on how to handle a showboat. wav: 214 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Emmitt Smith responds to Terrell Owens celebrating at mid-field. wav: 138 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
