In a story that feels straight out of a football fairytale, the San Francisco 49ers have signed Terique Owens, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and 49ers legend Terrell Owens, as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) following the 2024 NFL Draft. The announcement, made Monday, has already sent shockwaves through the football world, blending nostalgia, excitement, and questions about what the younger Owens could bring to the gridiron.
Terique, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver out of Missouri State, may not have heard his name called during the draft, but his signing with the 49ers is a storyline almost too perfect to script. It marks the return of the Owens name to a franchise where his father, Terrell, carved out an unforgettable legacy as one of the most dominant and polarizing wide receivers in NFL history.
“It’s a dream come true,” Terique said in a brief statement. “I’m honored to get the chance to wear the same colors my dad wore and show the world what I can do.”
The pressure on Terique will undoubtedly be immense. His father, Terrell Owens, is a six-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018. Terrell, known for his larger-than-life personality and game-changing ability, is considered one of the greatest receivers of all time, with 15,934 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns to his name.
Yet Terique’s journey to the NFL has been far different. After starting his college career at Florida Atlantic, he transferred to Missouri State, where he flashed glimpses of potential but remained largely under the radar in the college football world. His size, athleticism, and famous bloodline caught the attention of scouts, but questions linger about whether he can translate that into success at the NFL level.
For the 49ers, this signing represents both a nod to the past and an intriguing bet on potential. The team has long been one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and adding the son of a player who helped define their late-90s and early-2000s era only deepens the narrative. Fans are already speculating whether Terique can carve out his own path and perhaps even one day catch passes in the same stadium where his father once ignited crowds with his incredible plays.
“This is more than just a feel-good story,” said one NFL analyst. “Terique has tools that could make him an impact player in the right system. And with Kyle Shanahan’s offensive creativity, there’s a real chance here for him to shine.”
For Terique, the challenge will be separating his own identity from the shadow of a legendary father. Yet his signing with the 49ers offers a rare opportunity—a chance to honor his family’s legacy while also forging his own name in the NFL.
“I know I have to earn everything,” Terique said. “Nothing is handed to you in this league. I’m ready to get to work and prove myself, just like my dad did.”
As the 49ers begin preparations for training camp, all eyes will be on Terique Owens—will he be the next chapter in a legendary family story, or will the pressures of following in his father’s footsteps prove too much? One thing’s for sure: the NFL world will be watching.