3 Touchdowns, 2 Forclosures

Terrell Owens' affinity for attention is nothing new.  So, the 38-year old wide receiver suiting up for the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League was hardly a shock.  However, his debut performance was a memorable one, as Owens produced 53 yards from 3 catches, all touchdowns.

Seemingly a media stunt, the Wranglers benefited from Owen's brand recognition, selling more tickets to this game than in the 2011 season's games combined.   Also likely a desperate attempt to return to NFL Football, Owens wanted show that he can still play at a high level.  He sat out the entire 2011 NFL season, as teams were hesitant to bring in the enigmatic receiver after receiving major knee surgery the previous off-season.

Owens' Indoor Football debut may have been facilitated by financial motives, rather than his ego.  Despite earning over 80 million dollars in his playing career thus far, Two of TO's Texas residences have been foreclosed upon,  adding him to the list of disgraced superstars facing financial ruin.  

Poor investments and multiple child-support claims have left the former All-Pro receiver in financial hot water.  It seems that  his semi-pro return was a product of Owens' desire for attention, but it may have come from financial necessity.

Owens is not alone in this struggle.  A recent study shows that more than 70% of all NFL and 60% of NBA players lose their fortune within 5 years of retirement.
 

Notable Athlete Bankruptcies 

• Allen Iverson (NBA): Earned $154 Million
  
• Scottie Pippen (NBA): Earned $120 Million
  
• Deuce McAllister (NFL): Earned $70 Million
  
• Mark Brunell (NFL):  Earned $55 Million
  
• Latrell Sprewell (NBA): Earned $51 Million
  
• Travis Henry (NFL): Earned $34 Million
  

Owens' former publicist Kim Etheridge, made a major gaffe in her 2006 comments regarding TO's accidental overdose/suicide attempt: "Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive."

- Kevin Aherne