AP

Late in the 2008 season, ESPN reported that Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens was jealous of the relationship that quarterback Tony Romo had with tight end Jason Witten, and Owens was angry at what he perceived as Romo phasing Owens out of the offense to get the ball to Witten more often. That report came after a meeting Owens called with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman and fellow receivers Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams.

That ESPN report struck enough of a nerve with Owens that he’s still upset with Garrett, who is now the Cowboys’ head coach and whom Owens fingered as ESPN’s source. Owens said last weekend that he is sure it’s Garrett who spilled the beans about Owens’ comments in what was supposed to be a private meeting.

“There were some things that were leaked out that were supposed to be in house from meetings that myself, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton had with Jason Garrett,” Owens said, via the Dallas Morning News. “It just so happened, of the four of us — and maybe five of us with coach [Ray] Sherman — knowing about that meeting, things got leaked. That’s a shame because, of those four guys, outside of Garrett, I’ll put my life on it that none of them said anything.”

It’s certainly possible that Garrett was a source for ESPN. Garrett never made it much of a secret that he didn’t want to coach Owens, who was sent packing after that 2008 season.

But Garrett was far from the only coach who thought Owens was more trouble than he was worth. Just ask Steve Mariucci and Andy Reid. The reality is, Owens wore out his welcome everywhere. Maybe Owens should have worried less about who was saying bad things about him, and more about why there were so many bad things to say.