Owens Refutes Report, Says He Didn't Attempt Suicide
Sept. 27, 2006 — -- Terrell Owens said he didn't try to commit suicide and said his publicist's call to 911 was a case of misunderstanding.
"There was no suicide attempt," Owens said. "The rumor of me taking 35 pills is absurd," said Owens, who said the rest of the pills in the empty bottle were in a drawer.
Owens said his publicist made the 911 call out of a fear for his well being.
"I really wasn't as coherent as they thought I was," Owens said when asked if he told rescue workers he tried to hurt himself. Owens said he took hydrocortisone for his hand and a number of supplements. "The list is too long. All of them are natural supplements."
When asked if he could play Sunday against Tennessee, Owens said "yeah."
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his publicist Kim Etheredge "that he was depressed," but she said Wednesday, "Terrell did not say he was despressed."
A confusing series of events swirled around T.O. with few answers for most of Wednesday after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Dallas coach Bill Parcells said he didn't know any details, other than it was "apparently an unfortunate set of circumstances." He said it was too early to tell whether Owens might be able to practice this week or even play Sunday against Tennessee.
"I don't have enough information yet," he said. "I wouldn't [decide] anything right now. I'm talking with a good deal of ignorance on the subject."
Parcells said he had not spoken with Owens, but had discussed the case for a few minutes with team owner Jerry Jones.
"I think he felt the same way," Parcells said. "We just need to figure out what's going on."
