Corridor of Fame large receiver Terrell Owens punched a person over the weekend in Southern California, a brawl that the retired soccer nice mentioned Monday was self-defense.
TMZ initially posted video of the altercation that unfolded late Saturday night time in Inglewood, after Owens — greatest recognized for his years with the San Francisco 49ers earlier than having fun with productive seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles — went procuring at a CVS Pharmacy.
Owens, 48, advised NBC Information Monday afternoon that the TMZ footage precisely depicted the fisticuffs, however did not seize what led as much as the struggle.
As soon as he entered the shop, Owens mentioned a buyer approached him, recognized themselves as a San Francisco 49ers fan they usually exchanged pleasantries.
However a second buyer got here as much as them and made threats towards that 49ers fan earlier than all of them made their purchases and stepped outdoors, in accordance with Owens.
“The man I ended up preventing, he was principally threatening a man, a fan of mine that was within the retailer,” mentioned Owens.
“Once we walked out, he approached the each of us and I used to be making an attempt to stop this man from leaping on the fan. I attempted to defuse or de-escalate the scenario. He was persistent and eager to beat the man up. I did not need to see that occur.”
Owens mentioned he and a retailer worker, who had additionally come outdoors, initially believed they’d calmed the scene and efficiently saved the second buyer away from the primary.
“Then he swung on me when he thought I wasn’t paying consideration,” mentioned Owens of the narrowly missed punch.
“At that time I went into prepared protection mode. Not just for myself, however for the opposite particular person as properly.”
TMZ reported that the person who was punched by Owens didn’t name police.
A consultant for the Inglewood Police Division couldn’t be instantly reached for touch upon Monday.
Even two days later, Owens mentioned he hasn’t been in a position to determine why the person was so aggressive to the 49ers fan.
“I do not know. He was eyeing the man your complete time,” Owens recalled.
“He mentioned the man mentioned one thing to him. However the (49ers) fan was on the telephone after I was speaking to him. When he spoke to me, he was on the telephone. So perhaps he mistook the man saying one thing to him, however I do not know.”
Owens mentioned he splits time between properties in Southern California and Florida.
Earlier this 12 months, Owens posted video of a confrontation with a Florida neighbor who had complained about his driving and referred to as police.
Andrew Blankstein contributed.
