Terrell Owens keeps finding himself in the news for reasons that have nothing to do with football.
NFL.com's Steve Wyche has obtained a statement from Owens' publicist following a Friday report on TMZ.com that a bench warrant was issued for the free-agent wide receiver in California in regard to a missed court appearance over child support payments.
According to a statement released by Diana Bianchini, Owens, who has four children, has been tied to a child support structure based on the $11 to $12 million salary he earned during his 2007 season with the Dallas Cowboys. Owens' current absence of income, coupled with an unrelated $2 million lawsuit against former financial advisors, has left him in "serious financial shape," according to Bianchini.
Owens was a no-show at an Oct. 24 court hearing, leading to the bench warrant for his arrest. Bianchini explains that Owens could not make the court date because of his scheduled open workout that was designed to secure "a contract and income." Complicating matters was Owens not having a lawyer in place at the time.
Bianchini downplayed the warrant, saying the matter "will be resolved immediately."
"We are confident that Mr. Owens will be signed this season to the NFL," Bianchini wrote, "and all of his child support payments will be modified fairly according to his true income."
Owens, 37, is hoping to revive his NFL career after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in April. The wideout has amassed 15,934 receiving yards and 156 total touchdowns in a prolific career that began in 1996.
Last week, Bianchini refuted reports that Owens attempted suicide with the use of pain medication in October. TMZ had obtained an emergency call from Owens' residence in which the caller believed Owens was attempting to harm himself.