From NFL diva to fashion: Terrell Owens signs with modeling firm

T.O. to test fashion by signing with modeling firm

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The catwalk might never be the same now that Terrell Owens has signed a deal with a modeling agency.

Having already launched a reality TV show and promoted his own breakfast cereal, the Buffalo Bills receiver is ready to try fashion after signing a deal with Wilhelmina Models this week.

“Well, I’m always putting my hands in and feeding into something,” Owens said after practice Wednesday, noting Wilhelmina approached him with the offer. “When you’ve got some good looks like myself, you’ve got to take full advantage of it.”

In a release issued by Wilhelmina, the firm described the partnership as a natural one given Owens’ popularity.

“Owens has achieved what most athletes can only dream of: record books highlighting his name, fans sporting his jersey and a nickname of just two letters that is recognized by sports enthusiasts nationwide,” said Wilhelmina, which was founded in 1967 by supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper, and currently represents more than 1,000 models.

The firm, which has offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, signed Owens to its sports division, which also promotes boxer Roy Jones Jr., NBA star Andrei Kirilenko and U.S. speedskater Allison Baver. Wilhelmina will represent Owens in seeking endorsements and sponsorship deals in personal care and fashion industries.

It’s Owens latest foray outside of football. Earlier this year, he co-produced a reality TV show that was broadcast on VH-1, and has already been picked up for a second season. This summer he promoted a breakfast cereal, called ‘T.O.’s Honey Toasted Oats,’ which was produced by Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, and sold in western New York.

Owens also markets his own brand of T-shirts.

All of this doesn’t mean Owens, who turned 36 on Monday, is ready to retire after 14 NFL seasons.

After signing a one-year $6.5 million contract with Buffalo in March, days after being released by Dallas, Owens said he intends to continue playing for at least two more years.

“I feel great, I’m out here running around and having fun,” he said. “If I can go to a team where it works for me, then I feel like I can succeed and be productive.”

And he won’t discount returning to Buffalo. After a terrible start to the season, Owens’ production has picked up. Of his 43 catches for 690 yards and three touchdowns receiving this season, T.O. has 20 catches for 407 yards and two scores in his past four games.

“I’m not going to limit myself in discounting any type of situation,” he said. “For me, I know I can play.”

He noted his future in Buffalo is uncertain because it’ll partly depend on whether the Bills are interested in re-signing him. And much of that will depend on who takes over after coach Dick Jauron was fired last month and replaced by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who will finish the season on an interim basis.

Buffalo (4-8) is all but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention as it prepares to play at Kansas City (3-9) on Sunday.

It’s a busy week for Owens. He hosted a birthday party in New York City on Monday, with proceeds from the event going toward T.O.’s charity, the Catch a Dream Foundation.

On Friday, Owens will host a Christmas party for 81 Buffalo-area families at the Bills facility.