Owens Released from Hospital, Publicist Denies He Attempted Suicide

Terrell Owens's publicist denies that the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver attempted to commit suicide Tuesday.

The publicist, Kim Etheredge, told Dallas-area newspapers that Owens had a negative reaction to painkilling medication and supplements that he took.

A police report obtained by several news organizations said that Owens attempted to commit suicide by taking prescription pain pills.

Owens was released today from the Baylor University Medical Center.

The police report said that Owens had a prescription of 40 pills filled on Sept. 18 but had taken only five of those pills before Tuesday. When Owens was asked if he had taken the rest of the prescription, he said yes, according to the police report. When he was asked if he was attempting to harm himself, he said yes, the report said.

Etheredge was with him at the time of the incident and reportedly was the person who called 911. She told the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Owens did not attempt suicide, but had a negative reaction to the combination of the painkillers and some supplements that he also took.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheredge told the Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was lethargic.

Owens was planning to conduct a news conference this afternoon, as was Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells.

During a brief news conference this morning, a spokesman for the Dallas police department refused to confirm that Owens had attempted suicide.

"We've determined that at this time, this is not a criminal offense," said the spokesman, Rick Watson, who indicated that he was limited by privacy laws. "This is a medical type of situation, the incident that occurred."

Watson said that officers, at the request of fire department paramedics, responded to a call in the 3800 of Commerce Street a little before 8 p.m. Central time Tuesday. When the officers arrived, Watson said, they were met by the paramedics and were told that Owens had to be taken to the hospital. The officers followed the ambulance to the hospital and went in, according to Watson.

"It's my understanding that there was some information that was released prior to me speaking to the media," Watson said. "What I want to say is, that information that went out--we are the official spokesperson for the Dallas police department. How that information got out, I don't know. But this is the official statement. The Dallas police department does not have any other investigation going on on this incident.... I'm not confirming anything."

Owens's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, joined Owens in Dallas today.

Owens suffered a broken finger during a game against the Washington Redskins 10 days ago. Before Tuesday's developments, the Cowboys had been hopeful that he would practice today and perhaps play in Sunday's game at Tennessee.

By Mark Maske |  September 27, 2006; 1:52 PM ET  | Category:  Cowboys
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