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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Owens shouldn’t have been in shoulder pads

Terrell Owens' start with the Seattle Seahawks was a bit too quick. (Associated Press)
Seattle Times
RENTON, Wash. - Terrell Owens had a fast start to his Seattle Seahawks career. Too fast in fact. That has nothing to do with the fact he ran 40 yards in 4.45 seconds, and everything to do with the fact he wore shoulder pads during practice Wednesday. He shouldn’t have been wearing pads that day, according to the league’s collective-bargaining agreement, which stipulates a three-day acclimation period for a player joining a team during training camp. On Day 1, the player can undergo a physical exam and attend meetings, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. The next two days, he can wear a helmet during workouts and walk-throughs, but cannot wear full pads. Owens was signed Monday, according to the Seahawks, and took part in only a walk-through session Tuesday. He was in shoulder pads when he practiced Wednesday morning, an inadvertent violation of the league’s guidelines, according to the Seahawks. The Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram was first to point out the potential violation. There was no word from the league spokesman on any official complaint or potential punishment for the Seahawks. This offseason, Seattle lost two days of offseason training after the league ruled the Seahawks’ drills exceeded the amount of contact allowed under the guidelines for offseason workouts.