Terrell Owens: Still Running His Own "Show"

Talk about an announcement.

When Terrell Owens decided to let the world know he would debut a reality show on VH1, he posed nude in promotional shots that were featured in magazines and on billboards. "Keeping it sexy," as he calls it. (See "sexy" photo of Terrell Owens in the Reality Bites gallery below)

He is quick to remind TV vTerrell Owens fitnessiewers that it's hard work making sure he "looks good naked," but that beyond the attention-grabbing pictures, he hopes people will tune in to see a different side of him.

Owens (widely referred to as "T.O.") has never been someone to mince words. The six-time NFL all-star has garnered widespread criticism for his outspoken demeanor, yet his VH1 reality series ('The T.O. Show'), which premiered last month, uncovers a softer side of the Alabama native.

Years back, he shopped the idea of a reality show, but was unhappy with the networks' focus. Executives wanted the show to be about Owen's search for a soul mate. Owens went back to his full-time job until his publicists, Kita Williams and Monique Jackson, approached him about trying one more time.

"They approached me, and I shrugged them off like, 'Okay. Whatever.' 'cause that's how I always am about stuff," T.O. said. According to Owens, VH1 saw that there was more to him than his media-hyped image. The weekly series picks up shortly before Owens moves to Buffalo to play for the Bills. Earlier this year, he was cut from the Dallas Cowboys.

"It was disappointing," he said of his unexpected release. "We had a conversation earlier, and I was told repeatedly, 'No, you're fine. You have nothing to worry about,'" Owens said of his assurances from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

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Reality Bites

Keeping It "Real"
BlackVoices.com takes a look at famous and infamous reality TV show stars of the past and present. Come on in.

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Mel B Pictures

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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Owens has clearly moved on and embraced his new team. Since signing a one-year $6.5 million contract, Owens' fans have shown up to cheer him on at training camp and even greeted him when he arrived at the Buffalo airport at midnight. The scene was captured on 'The T.O. Show.'

The University of Tennessee graduate credits the support of his family and his religion with getting him through his tough times and being able to stay upbeat about his new team.

It's impossible for the veteran receiver to talk about his career triumphs and tribulations without mentioning his grandmother, who he visits in one heart-wrenching episode of show. She raised him in the church, and now Owens serves as a celebrity chairperson for the Alzheimer's Association in her honor. She has suffered from the disease since 1996.

The 35-year-old athlete says he didn't do the reality show to try to counteract bad press resulting from his headline-grabbing antics. Owens is happy that his grandmother taught him to speak his mind.

"I didn't have any media training when I first started in the league," he said.

"So, I didn't know there was anything wrong with being honest and saying how I feel. My grandmother taught me that. I didn't know how to be PC."

And he's not biting his tongue about how upset he is with Michael Vick's treatment by the NFL since being released from prison.

"I think the way the commissioner is handling it is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games," Owens said. "There's a number of guys around the league that have done far more worse things, like crack and cocaine, and they do not get punished like Vick has been."

These are the hot-button remarks that have made Owens so controversial. But 'The T.O. Show' remains one of the few instances in which he can't escape tackling head-on things that are personal to him, such as his love life.

Owens says he is "up to his neck in beautiful women." He paid a visit to his former fiancé, Felisha, and goes on a date with a model named Keri. He has also been rumored to be involved with Williams, his publicist.

"I am not in a committed relationship right now," he told BV Newswire. "I am seeing someone but we are not exclusive." He didn't name the person he's seeing.

For now, Owens is focusing on balancing his hectic schedule, adjusting to his new team and teammates, and trying his best to use his celebrity for good.

The T.O. Show' on VH1 on Mondays at 10 p.m.