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Terrell Owens accused his former manager of stealing money from him for over 15 years while working for him.
The Hall of Fame inductee posted a photo of an email pointing to alleged funds and a screen capture of a text exchange between the two in which Owens called out Heather Mesalam for “thief.”
“I am posting this because (Heather Mesalam) has handled my business affairs for over 15 years and I discovered last October 3 that she had stolen from me. The video screenshot puts everything into perspective,” Owens said in a lengthy Instagram caption.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens stands on the sideline during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 28, 2008. (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
The image of the email shows Owens’ apparent funds and expenses that Mesalam sent him, which includes the line “Me – 1500.”
Owens said in a message that those funds were “without my knowledge.”
“A PERSON CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH! Growing up, my grandma said there are 2 people she can’t stand… A LIAR and A THIEF… When you manage someone else’s affairs and get paid to do it, you have to be accountable!” Owens said. “I haven’t always used my voice when I should, but I got time today.”
Owens said he debated going public with the business “because of the many questions I would receive about what and/or why,” but “with the recent deaths of football players by suicide and for my own mental sanity, I have to get it off my chest.”
“Because if ‘I’ had stolen from someone, I would be ALL OVER the news, media, talking heads at ESPN would have a field day with it along with blogs where my reputation and character would be questioned and destroyed, destroying business opportunities and relationships,” Owens continued.
Former NFL player Terrell Owens watches from the sidelines prior to a game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 25, 2023. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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“Heather Mesalam(mezchick), it’s people like you who think you can just steal from me and think you can get away with it. Believe me, with ALL that I’ve been through with former agents like Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, the financial advisor Jeff Rubin that they referred me to when they signed with them where they mismanaged extraordinary child support, and paid extraordinary child support.”
Rubin was linked to a scandal involving several NFL players who combined to lose over $40 million from 2008 to 2011.
“It’s things like this that people don’t see and maybe consider small, but that’s what triggers us as athletes and those who have taken their own lives in what some call a selfish act,” Owens continued.
Owens also confirmed that Mesalam, “who stole from me,” “is no more [works] for me in any capacity” and pleaded with his fans not to worry about him.
Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens stands on the field at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, before Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 11, 2024. (Stephen R. Sylvania/USA TODAY Sports)
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“It’s being handled,” Owens said.
Pakinomist Digital reached out to Mesalam for comment.
The former San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys star earned nearly $80 million in his career from on-field contracts and endorsements, according to Spotrac.
