T.O.: If it's not mandatory, I won't be there
Published: March 27, 2009, 8:16 am
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Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens said Wednesday night he does not intend to show up for voluntary workouts at One Bills Drive.
Owens gave his comments at the National Alzheimer's Association gala in Washington, D.C., where he was honored for contributions to the charitable organization.
"I talked to coach [Dick] Jauron prior to the start of the workouts about that," Owens told USA Today about voluntary workouts. "Right now if there's nothing mandatory that I have to be a part of, then I won't intend to be there."
"I've never gone to a voluntary workout," Owens said. "I have a personal trainer. I take very good care of myself. I take pride in coming into camp in shape.
"If I'm in the area, I tend to stop by the facilities and work out with the guys. You know, I'm looking forward to that type of stuff."
Owens is scheduled to be in Buffalo at some point in mid-May for taping of a reality show about him that will be shown on the cable network VH1.
The Bills began voluntary conditioning workouts on Monday. The Bills veterans will not get on the field for actual voluntary practices — called organized team activity workouts — until late May. The team will hold three days of mandatory minicamp practices in June.
Owens received the Alzheimer's Association's first Young Champions Award during the gala for raising awareness in the fight against the disease. Owens' support of the charity is inspired by the fact his grandmother has the disease. His grandmother, Alice Black, was diagnosed in 1996. She now is in an assisted-living home in Alabama, unable to recognize loved ones.
"She'd been very, very instrumental in my upbringing," Owens said. "This is definitely a tribute to her."
Among the others honored in the event at the National Building Museum were French President Nicolas Sarkozy, U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and his wife, Sharon Percy Rockefeller.
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