Owens on Hall of Fame: 'There is a flaw in that system'

Terrell Owens won't attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Saturday, where he'll officially becomes a member of the prestigious group.

Owens won't receive an individual spotlight during the ceremony, as he'll attend a party at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, instead.

The former NFL wide receiver stands by his decision, and took a shot at the Hall of Fame's voting system in the process.

"I understand why I've made my decision," Owens told ESPN's Vaughn McClure on Friday. "I don't expect everyone to agree with me. But again, obviously the criteria and the system put in place for the Hall of Fame in order for guys like myself to be inducted, there are guidelines that the writers - the sportswriters - are supposed to adhere to.

"This is not (about) not being inducted the first or second ballot, but it's about the process in which guys are nominated and ultimately inducted. There is a flaw in that system. So this is not only about me, but it's about the guys that went before me, that's going to come after me. And I can make a stand for those guys so they won't have to go through this situation.''

Owens is grateful for his time in the NFL, but isn't pleased with the hall's voting process or the degree of media scrutiny he's received since announcing his decision.

"I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish," Owens said. "I don't expect a lot of people to agree with what I've done. I know what I'm doing. I know who's more important.

"For me, it wasn't about the Hall of Fame. I never played this sport to be in the Hall of Fame. Everything that I've accomplished was a lot of hard work. It was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. And when I feel like there are certain people put in position to not really adhere and honor and respect what I've done for the game, then that's an issue."

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