Owens Apologizes to Eagles

Terrell Owens admitted Tuesday that he’d been wrong and pleaded for a second chance with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team, after having said Monday that the All-Pro wide receiver would not be allowed to return when his four-game suspension ended, appeared unmoved.

Owens, hoping to overturn his dismissal, apologized to Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Donovan McNabb, the team’s owner and president, and fans.

“The mentality that I have, my greatest strength can also be my greatest weakness,” Owens said, reading a statement outside his house. “I’m a fighter. I’ve always been and I’ll always be. I fight for what I think is right. In doing so, I alienated a lot of my fans and my teammates.

“This is very painful for me to be in this position,” he added. “I know in my heart that I can help the team win the Super Bowl and not only be a dominant player, but also be a team player. I can bring that.”

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Owens was apologizing publicly in hopes of returning to the Eagles immediately.

“We hope he plays again for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Rosenhaus said. “We hope he plays right away. We hope he plays against the Dallas Cowboys” on Monday night.

Team spokesman Derek Boyko said the Eagles had no comment.

Owens was originally suspended last week, after scuffling with former teammate Hugh Douglas, then criticizing the team and McNabb on an ESPN interview. He sat out Sunday’s 17-10 loss to Washington.

Owens was told by the team Monday not to return this season because of “a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time,” according to Reid, who said Owens had been “warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions.”

Owens will remain suspended for three more games without pay. After that, the Eagles plan to deactivate him for the rest of the season.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the players’ union had filed a grievance on behalf of Owens, seeking to overturn the suspension. It will be heard Nov. 18 before arbitrator Richard Bloch.

“It really hurts me not to be part of the team anymore,” Owens said. “I came here to help the Eagles get to the Super Bowl and win the big game.”