The Dallas Cowboys have yet to officially announce jersey numbers for their 2021 draft class. But one rookie, Wide Receiver Simi Fehoko, may have announced his yesterday with a tweet that paid tribute to its last noteworthy wearer; Terrell Owens.
Fehoko tweeted a photoshopped picture of himself wearing the #81 in a Cowboys jersey, and included one of Owens’ classic quotes; “Get your popcorn ready.”
Terrell Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. While he’s most famous for his time with the 49ers, Owens had a great three-year run with the Dallas Cowboys from 2006-2008 that helped solidify his Canton credentials.
Owens’ Cowboys career wasn’t long or accomplished enough to merit any kind of protection of his number. Dallas has never officially retired any jersey number, but they’ve also never allowed anyone to wear the numbers of greats like Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, or Emmitt Smith since their retirements.
The #81 has been recycled a few times with receivers since T.O., such as Laurent Robinson in 2011 or 2012 Draft bust Danny Coale. But it’s very much still Owens’ number in terms of its legacy with the Cowboys.
Will Simi Fehoko actually be wearing the number 81 as a Dallas Cowboy? And if so, will the 5th-round rookie get opportunities to make T.O. proud on the field?
There should be plenty of popcorn-worthy moments from the Cowboys incredible receiver corps in 2021. If Fehoko can even add a few kernels, it will be a successful first year for him in Dallas.
