George Teague doesn't have any regrets about the most infamous hit he ever delivered in his nine seasons in the NFL.
In Sept. 2000, Teague, then with the Cowboys, decked 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens as he attempted to celebrate on the star logo in the center of the Cowboys' field.
Speaking with Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo! Sports, Teague says he still stands by the hit all these years later.
“Would I go out there again today and hit Terrell Owens? Would that be worth it for me? Yes, I would do it again because of the principle,” Teague said. “I would do it again because I think it was the right thing to do.”
The NFL's first celebration king? You can certainly make a case for T.O.
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 24, 2018
18 years ago today, @49ers WR @terrellowens took it to the ⭐️ after each of his TDs in Dallas. (Sept. 24, 2000) #TDIH pic.twitter.com/G7dl6hfdEr
Teague's hit against Owens was the result of tension that had been brewing between the 49ers and Cowboys the entire game. Owens celebrated on the star with no interference after scoring a touchdown earlier in the game, earning boos from the Dallas crowd.
Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith responded with a touchdown of his own, taking to the star for his own celebration to match Owens.
When Owens scored a second time, he tried to get to the star again, but Teague met him with a devastating tackle. It's one heck of a hit.
Bob Larson/IMAGO
“As soon as he started to take off, I didn’t even hesitate,” Teague told Eisenberg. “I took off. I just knew I had to disrupt what was about to happen.
“I was ready for a fight.”
Teague said that despite some efforts on his part, he hasn't yet been able to make amends with Owens.
“Now we only talk to each other through the media.”
