By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press

KAPOLEI, Hawaii - On the islands, Terrell Owens finally can relax.

When the All-Pro receiver runs routes in a Pro Bowl practice or takes in the Waikiki nightlife, his every move isn't being scrutinized. When he's out of the public eye, he feels free to be himself - and he says he's just a happy, friendly guy.

On the islands, Owens can soften the relentless focus that makes him a superstar. He welcomes nearly everyone he meets, grinning for photographs with complete strangers and joking with the cornerbacks who spend the other 51 weeks of the year trying to figure out how stop him.

Though the San Francisco 49ers' biggest talent and most controversial player still hasn't completely recovered from the leg and foot injuries that limited him all season, he didn't hesitate to accept his third Pro Bowl appearance.

"This is the most relaxing thing you can do in football," Owens said Thursday while working out in the cool ocean breezes at the Ihilani resort on Oahu's west side. "It's great to get out and experience Hawaii and have some peace."

On the islands, Owens also doesn't have to think about the 49ers' turmoil - which, for once, had nothing to do with him. He takes no satisfaction in coach Steve Mariucci's departure; despite their many differences over the years, their relationship was strong when Mariucci was fired two weeks ago.

But Owens is excited about the 49ers' future. Like quarterback Jeff Garcia, he feels the 49ers might benefit from a defense-minded coach - but he said he trusts the judgment of owner John York, whose criticisms of Mariucci after his firing sounded similar to the ones Owens first voiced years ago.

"Sometimes it's good to get a little change," Owens said. "We were going along pretty well, but sometimes when you shake things up, it can help. I hope that's the situation with our team. I hope it doesn't mean we have to take a step back to go forward."

Even Wednesday's departure of receivers coach George Stewart, his friend and mentor for all seven of his NFL seasons, hasn't affected Owens' calm on the islands.

Stewart, who spent countless 49ers practices throwing and catching with Owens on the sideline, took the same job in Atlanta. Owens laughs at the suggestion that Stewart's hiring could persuade him to consider the Falcons, who could desperately use a star receiver, if he becomes a free agent after next season.

"All good things come to an end, that's the way it is," said Owens, who makes his offseason home in Atlanta. "That's a great opportunity for him. I'm happy for (Stewart). We'll just go on. Throughout it all, I've been able to block out all of the distractions and focus on the field."

After catching 100 passes for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns despite missing two games in the regular season, Owens helped Garcia carry the 49ers to their 39-38 comeback playoff victory over the New York Giants. He was ineffective in the next round against Tampa Bay - but so was every other star offensive player this season.

"This is a relaxing time for all of us, especially after all the stress our team was under this season," Garcia said. "I know that T.O. loves coming to Hawaii. All of us do. You knew that if we were healthy and able to go, everybody on the 49ers who got selected would want to go."

For the immediate future after the Pro Bowl, Owens is contemplating a return to the USBL - the basketball minor league where he played for the Adirondack Wildcats last spring.

"I haven't really decided yet," Owens said. "I'm still working on my health. We'll see about that later in the offseason. I still love to play, though.

"(Football) isn't something I ever dreamed of doing. I still look at it like I'm a basketball player first, but I'm playing football just to get where I want to go in life."

But on the islands, Owens can focus just on fun and sun. He also has a motivation for working hard on his week of relaxation.

"The (winning players' payment of) $30,000, that's the most important thing," Owens said with a grin. "We all want a little extra spending cash. In the beginning of the game, it's a little bit tame, but when we get close to the end, everybody wants to win. We're all competitors."

Return to Bengals front page...