Terrell Owens has never been one to follow the crowd. He paved his own way as a player, and took his fair share of criticism for it, and he's not about to stop doing things his way in retirement. Owens was finally named an inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2018 after years of missing out, but apparently not even the highest honour in football is free from the TO treatment. The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony is one of the most high profile events in the NFL calendar. It's grandeur, emotion, and monumental historical value are unmatched as NFL greats are greeted into one of sports' most exclusive societies. All 310 members have so far gratefully accepted their invites to the ceremony, either themselves or via relatives should they be deceased. Terrell Owens however, doesn't subscribe to the status quo. The 44-year-old shocked the football world Thursday, releasing a statement to announce that he would not attend his enshrinement in August. Owens is the first Hall of Famer in NFL history to decline the invitation. 

"While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton," his statement reads. "... After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere."

"At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction.

“I would also like to thank the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals for the time I was granted with each organization. I am thankful for the relationships forged and the lessons learned while part of each team. I wish to congratulate all past, current and future inductees. It is quite an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever.” Owens wrote. 

The decision is entirely unprecedented, and it's safe to say it's not gone down well with the NFL community, nor the hierarchy in Canton. 

“We are disappointed but will respect Terrell’s decision not to participate in the Enshrinement,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said in a responding statement. “While unprecedented, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nearly 5,000 volunteers and the entire community are committed to celebrating the excellence of the Class of 2018 that will kick off the NFL’s 99th season.”

Owens fought so hard to gain entry to the Hall, and now he's turning his back on it's proudest tradition. His decision is a microcosm of his career in a way, and when viewed like that it's the perfect ending for a man that seemingly always went against the grain from day one in the league. 

TO has earned his way into football immortality, and you can be damn sure he's going to celebrate in whatever which way he wants to. 

However, given his outspoken nature, Owens' speech would've been something to pay close attention to, and it's a real shame that he isn't allowing himself to be truly recognised in football's most appreciative environment. 

All seven of the remaining inductees Randy Moss, Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Brian Dawkins, Robert Brazile, Jerry Kramer, and Bobby Beathard are expected to follow tradition and take part in the ceremony.