Terrell Owens won’t attend Hall of Fame inductionTerrell Owe

always likes being the center of attention. His decision to skip the induction ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August will keep him far from the spotlight.Owens was voted into the hall in February after being denied in his first two years of eligibility. His announcement Thursday is unprecedented by an enshrinee.“Hopefully http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-mike-gillislee-jersey , the story this summer will remain about those that will be there instead of the one that will not,” said Howard Balzer of SiriusXM Radio, a 15-year voter for the Hall of Fame.In a statement released Thursday by his publicist, Owens said: “While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton.“After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere,” Owens added. “At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction.”The hall confirmed that the former All-Pro receiver informed them he would not be on hand Aug. 4 for the enshrinements.“We are disappointed but will respect Terrell’s decision not to participate in the enshrinement,” Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said.“While unprecedented, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nearly 5,000 volunteers and the entire community are committed to celebrating the excellence of the Class of 2018 that will kick off the NFL’s 99th season.“As we do not want to detract from this great honor being enjoyed by the seven other members of the class of 2018 — Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer James Develin Jersey , Ray Lewis, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher — their family, friends, and fans, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have no further comment on the decision made by Terrell Owens.”28<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:PHOTOS: Dak, Zeke and a bunch of new faces at Dallas Cowboys OTAsMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports | Matthew EmmonsOwens entered the league as a third-round pick by San Francisco in 1996 and developed into a star known for some memorable playoff appearances, including his winning 25-yard TD catch to beat Green Bay in 1999; his 177 yards in a comeback win against the Giants in 2003; and his nine catches for 122 yards in the 2004 Super Bowl against New England just seven weeks after breaking his leg.He ranks second to Jerry Rice with 15,934 yards receiving and is third on the all-time touchdowns receiving list with 153.Owens heavily criticized the voting process when he failed to be elected in 2016 and 2017. Among the reasons he fell short were his being considered a divisive teammate and negative presence in the locker room.Still, he received strong consideration for the hall before getting in last February, along with Moss, another standout receiver.“I think T.O. actually was disappointed when he got in this year,” said Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, who presented Owens’ case for induction and has been on the selection committee for 16 years. “I think he was happier when he got snubbed and could play the part of the persecuted victim and moan on every radio talk show that was willing to bring him on about the unfairness of the process.“Maybe he was worried that he would become forgotten after the induction ceremony. This way, he gets his gold jacket, but still will be remembered as the guy who told the hall to go stuff it.”Another Owens supporter in the hall voting, Jarrett Bell of USA Today Womens LaAdrian Waddle Jersey , has been on the selection committee for 21 years and was “at a loss to understand” why Owens would decline to attend the inductions.But Bell, like Baker, stressed Owens’ absence would not affect the ceremony much.“Think of the other members of the class of 2018,” Bell said. “They deserve their upcoming honor and the celebration. There’s no stain on them because someone doesn’t want to show up.“Think of the players who gave their all to the sport, including many worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, who will never be enshrined. Think of the family members of former players, coaches and officials — many of whom have passed away — pushing for their loved ones to receive special recognition for career accomplishments. Then think of Terrell Owens. In that order.”As perhaps an indicator he might skip the August ceremony, Owens didn’t attend the announcement that he’d been selected to the hall.“All these years Owens wanted to go to the hall and was quite vocal about it,” said Rick Gosselin, a hall voter for 23 years. “Now he doesn’t want to go to the hall? It’s kind of puzzling. … I wonder what all of his new teammates wearing those gold jackets think.”Owens did thank the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills and Bengals in his statement and called becoming a Hall of Famer “an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever.”He just won’t be on hand to see his bust unveiled in August.“But don’t think of even considering it a sad day for the Hall of Fame,” Bell said. “The hall will always be bigger than one person.”18<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Dallas Cowboys 2018 NFL ScheduleAP CINCINNATI (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick made a good initial impression with Tampa Bay.The rest was so-so.Fitzpatrick completed his first series with a 6-yard touchdown run before the Cincinnati Bengals pulled away to a 23-12 victory over the Buccaneers on Friday night.The 34-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal for a chance to back up Jameis Winston . Fitzpatrick had mixed results after his TD, going 6 of 13 overall with an interception. He also scrambled twice for 15 yards. Fitzpatrick lost the ball while trying to throw, but recovered his fumble.More Tampa Bay Buccaneers newsBuccaneers make big step forward avoiding 0-2 startBucs’ running game shows signs of life with 2nd-year RB Ronald Jones II leading wayJameis Winston throws 3 INTs http://www.patriotslockerroom.com/authentic-malcolm-mitchell-jersey , Buccaneers drop season-opener to 49ersBuccaneers edge Browns 13-12 behind K Matt Gay’s game-winnerBruce Arians gets 1st win with Bucs against surprise starter Josh Rosen, Dolphins“It’s nice to get into a game situation just figuring out how they set the tempo and pace,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s something I’ve had to work on.”Ryan Griffin — Tampa Bay’s third-string quarterback the past two seasons — left in the fourth quarter after someone landed on his passing shoulder. There was no estimate how long he’ll be sidelined.“It’s all a process now,” said Griffin, who was 4 of 9 for 57 yards. “I haven’t been hurt before, so we’ll see how it goes.”Tampa Bay opened the game with a 14-play, 92-yard drive, but had to settle for a field goal after Adam “Pacman” Jones broke up a pair of Winston’s passes in the end zone. Jones is suspended by the NFL for the season opener because of his offseason arrest.Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was on the sideline after missing a practice last week because of a knee problem.Andy Dalton had his full complement of receivers — A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert have returned from significant injuries last season — and moved the offense smoothly on Cincinnati’s opening drive before making a bad decision. Vernon Hargreaves III anticipated Dalton’s sideline throw and picked off a pass at the 1-yard line .Dalton had plenty of time to throw behind Cincinnati’s reconfigured line.“I just wish I could have that last play back,” said Dalton, who was 4 of 5 for 38 yards on his only drive.Green, who missed the last half of last season with a hamstring injury, had a pair of catches for 21 yards.Both teams have kicker competitions that were in the spotlight in their preseason opener.Roberto Aguayo made a 20-yard field goal on Tampa Bay’s opening possession, but he was wide right on a 47-yard try and hit the right upright on the extra-point attempt. Nick Folk was good from 45 yards on his only chance.The Bengals’ kickers were perfect. Randy Bullock made field goals of 54 and 49 yards and his extra-point try. Jake Elliott, who was drafted in the fifth round, connected from 45 yards and also made an extra point.“We both had a good night tonight,” Elliott said. “We put all of them through Dwayne Allen Jersey , which is what you want.”INJURIESBuccaneers: CB Brent Grimes (leg) and C Ali Marpet (ankle) sat out. RB Russell Hansbrough left in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.Bengals: RB Giovani Bernard was held out along with first-round pick WR John Ross, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Bernard has fully practiced in camp while recovering from ACL surgery midway through last season.ROOKIE WATCHBuccaneers: TE O.J. Howard, the 19th overall pick, didn’t have a catch, with only one pass thrown his way. WR Chris Godwin had one catch for 14 yards.Bengals: RB Joe Mixon had several nice runs, avoiding tacklers to get extra yards. He carried six times for 31 yards and turned his only reception into an 11-yard gain by slipping through a pair of attempted tackles. He’s competing with Jeremy Hill for playing time.“Once I got that first carry and got the first-game jitters out of the way, I adjusted,” Mixon said. “It was just playing football.”SORTING OUT THE RBsTampa Bay will miss Doug Martin for the first three games as he serves a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. Martin carried four times for 11 yards. Jacquizz Rodgers, who is expected to be the featured back while he’s gone, also carried four times for 11 yards.QUOTABLEAfter his touchdown, Fitzpatrick simply flipped the ball to an official instead of celebrating. Nobody touched him after he took off for the end zone.“I went left and there was nothing in front of me,” he said. “I was so surprised. I had no celebration planned. I didn’t know what to do.”UP NEXTBuccaneers: Play at Jacksonville on Thursday.Bengals: Host Kansas City next Saturday.107<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader photo galleryReinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports | Reinhold Matay