AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy: After Owens apologized, Rosenhaus said he hoped his client could rejoin the Eagles this season.
T.O. apologizes, but Eagles won't take him back
Terrell Owens wants to return to the Eagles, but the team won't have him.
A contrite Owens, hoping to overturn his dismissal from the Philadelphia Eagles, on Tuesday apologized to coach Andy Reid, quarterback Donovan McNabb, the team's owner and president, and fans in news conference in front of his home.
ESPN's Sal Paolantonio spoke to a top Eagles official, who told Paolantonio that Owens will not be rejoining the team. The official added that even if Owens' suspension is not upheld by an arbitrator, Owens will still not play for the Eagles this season.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Owens was making a public apology in hopes of returning to the Eagles immediately.
Owens on Monday was told by the team not to return this season. The decision resulted from "a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time, during which Terrell had been warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions," Reid said.
photo & story courtesy espen.com, 11/08/05
34"`Because the men who explored the land were there for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years--a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. You will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.' 35I, the LORD, have spoken! I will do these things to every member of the community who has conspired against me. They will all die here in this wilderness!" 36Then the ten scouts who had incited the rebellion against the LORD by spreading discouraging reports about the land 37were struck dead with a plague before the LORD. 38Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive. 39When Moses reported the LORD's words to the Israelites, there was much sorrow among the people. 40So they got up early the next morning and set out for the hill country of Canaan. "Let's go," they said. "We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the LORD has promised us." 41But Moses said, "Why are you now disobeying the LORD's orders to return to the wilderness? It won't work. 42Do not go into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the LORD is not with you. 43When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The LORD will abandon you because you have abandoned the LORD." 44But the people pushed ahead toward the hill country of Canaan, despite the fact that neither Moses nor the Ark of the LORD's covenant left the camp. 45Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them as far as Hormah.
If you grew up going to church, you probably remember parts of this familiar Old Testament story. The Israelities were going to be punished by God for their disobedience and unsuccessful attempt to enter the Promised Land. The consequences? They were going to wander for 40 years in the wilderness! Whoa! That got their attention! But it was too late!
WHAT DOES TODAY'S PASSAGE TEACH US ABOUT TRUE REPENTANCE TO GOD?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
14:40-44 When the Israelites realized their foolish mistake, they were suddenly ready to return to God. But God didn't confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because he knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again. Sometimes right actions or good intentions come too late. We must not only do what is right, but also do it at the right time. God wants complete and instant obedience.
T.O. is too late and you wonder if it's from the heart. If we're like him and don't get it, we may find ourselves deactivated spiritually.
- Pray every day for God's Spirit to keep you sensitive to recognizing sin in your life and confessing it immediately.
- Read the rest of the story about the Israelites wandering in the wilderness in Numbers 15:1 - 21:35.
- Pray for Terrell Owens when you see his photo or story in the news. Even though his actions are selfish and obnoxious, remember that God loves him and wants him to turn from his ways and turn to Christ.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.