30 greatest NFL rivalries of all-time

28. Terrell Owens vs. His Quarterbacks

Sometimes a rivalry can develop internally among teammates. When this occurs, a pending disaster is always just one turn away.

The teams that Terrell Owens played for during his NFL career know this all to well.

Owens enjoyed a prolific career that has landed him among the top-5 in NFL history in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Unfortunately, his career was marred by wearing out his welcome with every team he played on for an extended period of time.

He earned the label of “quarterback killer,” something that deservedly followed him around until his retirement.

With the San Fransisco 49ers, he became a four-time Pro Bowler. But in the end, this was overshadowed by a public desire to leave the franchise, as well as by him making insinuations that 49ers starting quarterback Jeff Garcia was gay.

Owens moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004, were he would lead his franchise to its first Super Bowl since 1980 in his first year. Before long, though, he began to develop animosity from his teammates. The final straw occurred when he claimed in 2005 that the Eagles would be undefeated if Brett Favre were their quarterback, a direct shot at Eagles signal-caller Donovan McNabb.

Philadelphia suspended Owens for four games and released him the following offseason, during which he would sign with the Dallas Cowboys. After a pair of successful seasons in Dallas, rumors would emerge that a conflict was arising between Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and his star receiver, largely related to Owens’ constant demand for the football. In 2009, the team cut their losses, releasing the enigmatic wide receiver.

Owens was a rare talent and dominant receiver during his career, but as the Cowboys, Eagles and 49ers came to know, he was not worth the constant headaches and threats to team chemistry.

Next: 27. Chicago Bears - Minnesota Vikings