NEW YORK -- Waving pompoms to celebrate his latest touchdown
wasn't enough to bring San Francisco 49ers receiver Terrell Owens
any disciplinary action from the NFL.
Owens was warned by the league earlier this season after he
pulled a pen from his sock and autographed a football following a
touchdown in Seattle.
In Sunday's rain-soaked 20-14 home loss to Green Bay, Owens
caught a 45-yard TD pass from Jeff Garcia with 1:04 to play. He
then borrowed a cheerleader's gold-colored pompoms and did a little
dance.
The NFL office said Monday that the celebration wasn't egregious
enough to warrant punishment.
Owens has a history of exuberant on-field behavior, which has
gotten him into some trouble.
Two years ago, he mocked the Dallas Cowboys when he ran to the
star logo in Texas Stadium and celebrated after each of his two
touchdown catches. When he and the 49ers returned on Dec. 7, he
scored two more TDs but didn't rub it in. He did appear afterward
dressed in a blue leather outfit.
Owens ignited a nationwide debate on NFL sportsmanship on Oct.
14, when the 49ers beat the Seahawks 28-21. After his second TD
catch, Owens, who had been carrying a Sharpie in his sock, signed
the ball and handed it to his financial adviser nearby.
While many fans found the stunt amusing, it infuriated Seattle
coach Mike Holmgren. The league sent a memo to all 32 teams warning
players not to carry sharp objects on them in games, but the only
punishment for Owens was a $5,000 fine for having his jersey
untucked.