Former NFL star Terrell Owens to compete in season 25 of 'Dancing With the Stars'
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Terrell Owens, a six-time NFL Pro Bowler, will trade his old football cleats for dance shoes to compete in season 25 of “Dancing With the Stars.”
Owens, 43, made the announcement today on “Good Morning America.”
“I’m hoping to put up some big numbers with this lovely lady right here,” he said of his professional partner, Cheryl Burke, who announced her return to “DWTS” Monday.
Owens said he spoke with his friend Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, who competed on the show’s 10th season with Burke, about how difficult the process would be.
“He said it’s going to be a lot of work but I expect nothing different,” Owens said. “This is going to be a challenge for me, definitely. [It’s] definitely not in my wheelhouse. I danced as a little kid but this is nothing like what I’m going to expect, I’m sure.”
He will compete for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy with pro dancer Cheryl Burke, who announced her return to “DWTS” on Monday.
“If I can handle Bill Parcells then I can handle Cheryl,” he said of his former Dallas Cowboys coach. “But it’s going to be challenge. Yesterday we got our first start at trying to learn some steps, so that’s the challenge.”
Burke is a two-time “DWTS” champion who took home one of her two victories with NFL legend Emmitt Smith.
She said Owens is all about “lights, camera, action,” which she plans to utilize on the dance floor, as long as he sticks to the choreography.
“He’s a performer so I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage,” she said. “As long we do the work in the studio and really practice hard, then he can do whatever he likes on the dance floor.”
Owens, an Alabama native, played for NFL teams including the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. He ended his 15-year NFL career with 1,078 receptions, 15,935 yards and 153 touchdowns, according to his website.
Owens played his final NFL season in 2010, according to the league. His work since has included modeling, advocating for causes including Alzheimer's disease awareness and writing children's and fitness books.
Owens was the second celebrity to be revealed for the upcoming season of "DWTS."
“Property Brothers” star Drew Scott will compete with pro partner Emma Slater, who won season 24 of the competition.
"We’ve actually done two rehearsals," Scott said on "GMA” last week. "I’m an athletic guy, I’m a sporty guy and I like taking on a challenge, but I’ve never danced before."
In addition to Slater and Burke, other pro dancers returning for season 25 include fan favorites Mark Ballas, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd. See the other pro dancers lined up for the next season of "DWTS" here.
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