“RIP”: 49ers Legend Terrell Owens Confesses Regret as NFL Community Mourns Death

Over a decade ago, speaking of the inevitability of death, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens noted in an interview, “Life and death. At some point, we’re gonna leave this world. Do I know when? Absolutely not.” Wise words then. But after closely witnessing loss, they carry even more weight for him now. At 51, Owens admits grief still overwhelms him, and how could it not? In August alone, he’s lost two loved ones.

On August 22, Owens took to Instagram to share a video of an old friend from his hometown, Alabama, sitting inside a car and cracking jokes. However, seemingly a fun video at first glance, it turned out to be a farewell message to his friend Demon Crayton. Owens wrote in the caption, “REST IN PEACE MON! … Gone too soon… I’m glad I was able to capture this moment 4th of July weekend. I’ve lost in you, a hometown friend and one of the biggest “TO” fans ever… To your girlfriend Kim, thank you for letting me stop by the hospital Sunday night to see him before I came back to LA early Monday morning.”

Born on August 11, 1973, Crayton was only a few months older than Owens. Sadly enough, he died 10 days after his 52nd birthday. Owens never shared the cause of his friend’s death, but he did share how much Crayton and their friendship meant to him through an Instagram reel he posted on August 29. The said reel comprised a couple of photos from Crayton’s August 27 funeral and his video from the 4th of July weekend. In the caption, Owens left him a message, showing love and, to some extent, remorse.

The caption read, “I wish I would have just told you THANK YOU. The city is gonna miss you bro. I left you some shades for that Main Event.” Owens’ caption undoubtedly serves as a reminder to all of us: It’s good to let your close ones know how grateful you are for the bonds you share with them while they’re still around. A couple of weeks before Crayton’s death, Owens lost a family member: his Aunt Bink.

Sadly, the 4th of July weekend was also the last time he met Aunt Bink. Sharing the news of her demise on Instagram, on August 7, Owens wrote, “It’s never a good sign when your phone rings at 5:06am… Little did I know that the 4th of July would be the last time I would see you… Heaven for sure has gained an angel.”

It’s one thing to send tributes to the loved ones in their honor. But grieving takes time. Especially for those, like Owens, who can’t even completely comprehend one loss and hear another bad news. So, it’s good to see the community rallying behind TO, to let him know he’s not alone.

Terrell Owens received immense support from friends and fans

James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

That same spirit of faith and comfort poured into the comments when Terrell Owens shared Crayton’s Instagram reel. One fan wrote, “Praying for God’s comfort over your sorrow.” The least one could do in such times is pray for the soul, pray for the family, and pray for those affected by the loss. Meanwhile, another added, “My Deepest Heartfelt Condolences to YOU and ALL His Loves.”

There have not been any past references from Owens about his late friend. But that reel, which captured the liveliness of Crayton, only showed how much TO is affected. One can only imagine. And pray as this comment read, “May the Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen the family is my prayer.”

Messages kept flooding in—“Rest from all of your labor throughout forever,” one said. Another reminded him, “He’s in the greatest hands he can be in […] The Most High has it.” Even public figures like Keion Henderson, Mark Jackson, and Matthew Hatchette joined in with their own words of support.

Death is inevitable, yes, but moments like this show how deeply a community can rally around someone in grief. Stay strong, TO, for Crayton is resting in power!

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