Posted: Tuesday February 1, 2005 1:19PM; Updated: Wednesday February 2, 2005 1:48PM
Terrell Owens attracted the largest crowd at Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday.
AP
JACKSONVILLE -- All T.O., all the time.
On the floor of Alltel Stadium this morning, Philadelphia receiver Terrell Owens attracted as big a crowd at a Media Day (pet peeve of mine: it's stupid to call this "Media Day'' because Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Super Bowl week are all media days; players and coaches are available to spout clichés every day but Saturday) as any I've seen in 21 years of covering these games. Tomorrow is the six-week anniversary of Owens' surgery to repair a broken leg and ankle ligament damage, and he left no doubt about what's going to happen in Super Bowl XXXIX Sunday against New England.
"I'm gonna play, and that's it,'' he said, as confident as he could be.
Good. Now can we stop obsessing about this?
It's been clear since last week Owens would play, and he practiced at three-quarters speed and caught a bunch of balls on Monday. Any doubt that he would play has been erased.
His 10 gems, captured by maybe 400 reporters, 50 photographers and 25 minicams floating in and out of his 50-minute availability:
MAILBAG
Peter King will answer your questions each week in Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition.
1. "I'm not concerned about risk. My injury isn't career-threatening. If I get hurt, it'll heal. You can get hurt crossing the street. We could have gotten hurt flying down here.''
2. "I don't think I've been a distraction.''
3. "I'm 81 percent.''
4. "If you believe in miracles, come to the game Sunday. You'll see one.''
5. "I know my body better than any of the people who've been interviewed by you guys.''
6. "I won't have a brace on my leg. Just probably some light tape. That's it.''
7. "I am who I am. That's how God made me -- to be controversial.''
8. "Dr. [Mark] Myerson (his surgeon who advised him not to play) is a good doctor. He tried to discourage me from playing. If he can't discourage me, who can?''
9. "I'm not using this game to advance my profile.''
10. "I'll be a factor Sunday. Just check my highlights from this season. That's who you'll see on Sunday.''
MEDIA INJURY OF THE WEEK
Florida Times Union football writer Vito Stellino suffered a neck rash from the NFL-issued lanyard holding the credential around his neck.