This Day in Football History

2004 - Eagles acquire Terrell Owens from 49ers

Following a contract dispute and a voided trade to the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive end Brandon Whiting and a conditional fifth-round pick.

The trade followed a ruling by the NFL that Owens and his agent had missed the deadline to void the remaining three years of his contract with the 49ers and become a free agent. 

Owens was initially traded to the Ravens, but refused to report to the team and filed a grievance stating that he should be granted free agency. The 49ers eventually struck a deal with the Eagles and returned the second-round pick to the Ravens.

"I'm so excited to be here and to play with D-Mac," Owens said of new teammate Donovan McNabb. "I feel like I fit in real nice here. I'm comfortable with the West Coast offense. The touchdowns I've had in the Pro Bowl, Donovan has thrown them to me. That just comes with two athletes going out there and making plays, just chemistry in the making."

Owens was released by the Eagles two years later, a move that was fueled by his feud with McNabb and public criticism of the organization.

Birthdays

1956 - Ozzie Newsome
1961 - Mel Gray
1966 - Rodney Pete
1980 - Todd Heap