Published: Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 1:25 p.m.
Owens: "I have changed in a lot of ways"
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Associated Press
Terrell owens practiced with the Seahawks for the first time on Wednesday.
RENTON — Terrell Owens admits that humble isn't a word often associated with him, but after practicing with the Seahawks for the first time, he said he has indeed changed and been humbled after being out of the NFL for a year.
"I have changed in a lot of ways," Owens said. " A lot of things have occurred in the last two years and I've had a lot of time to think about things, put things in perspective and I just want to move forward and leave all the things that happened 5 to 10 years ago behind me. That's where I am mentally."
Of course now Owens needs to back those words up. It's one thing to say all the right things in August, but an entirely different matter to be a good teammate for a full season. Owens did, however, sound sincere in saying that he plans on being a different player than the one who has been the center of attention for most of his career.
"I know I have matured and changed in a lot of different ways," he said. "Whether other people think that way that's up to them. Again I have always been motivated and driven by my family. I know what is most important to me. The last two years have been life-changing for myself. I don't want to try and sit up here and emphasize how much I've changed. I think you'll kind of see that as these days go along. It's more about actions speak louder than words and I think you'll see that more than anything."
Owens said he was rusty following his first practice, but for a 38-year-old who hasn't played at this level since his 2010 season ended with a knee injury, he had some impressive moments.
"(The rust) was kind of hard to notice," said quarterback Matt Flynn. "He did a pretty good job today."
Owens worked mostly with the second-team offense Wednesday at flanker (the position Sidney Rice plays) and knows that he won't just be handed a job because he possesses Hall of Fame credentials.
"I'm here to compete for a job just like the rest of the guys," he said. "I have to earn my spot on this team like everyone else. I understand that."
"I have changed in a lot of ways," Owens said. " A lot of things have occurred in the last two years and I've had a lot of time to think about things, put things in perspective and I just want to move forward and leave all the things that happened 5 to 10 years ago behind me. That's where I am mentally."
Of course now Owens needs to back those words up. It's one thing to say all the right things in August, but an entirely different matter to be a good teammate for a full season. Owens did, however, sound sincere in saying that he plans on being a different player than the one who has been the center of attention for most of his career.
"I know I have matured and changed in a lot of different ways," he said. "Whether other people think that way that's up to them. Again I have always been motivated and driven by my family. I know what is most important to me. The last two years have been life-changing for myself. I don't want to try and sit up here and emphasize how much I've changed. I think you'll kind of see that as these days go along. It's more about actions speak louder than words and I think you'll see that more than anything."
Owens said he was rusty following his first practice, but for a 38-year-old who hasn't played at this level since his 2010 season ended with a knee injury, he had some impressive moments.
"(The rust) was kind of hard to notice," said quarterback Matt Flynn. "He did a pretty good job today."
Owens worked mostly with the second-team offense Wednesday at flanker (the position Sidney Rice plays) and knows that he won't just be handed a job because he possesses Hall of Fame credentials.
"I'm here to compete for a job just like the rest of the guys," he said. "I have to earn my spot on this team like everyone else. I understand that."
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