OUT OF FASHION

T.O.'s image, merchandise take big hit

BY BARBARA MILLER
Of The Patriot-News

Some Philadelphia Eagles fans have said it for years.

Earlier this week, the coach made it official.

Now, sporting goods stores and even a few Internet sites are dumping wide receiver Terrell Owens' stuff by declaring: "T.O. Must Go."

Before Owens was canned for running down his teammates during an ESPN.com interview, his jerseys sold for at least $75.

But the prices have plummeted for anything green and white marked with No. 81.

At Finish Line in the Capital City Mall, T.O. adult jerseys have been reduced to $29.99 from the previous sale price of $59.99, and the original price of $75. Kids' versions are $19.99, compared with $45 on sale.

Dick's Sporting Goods on the Carlisle Pike has knocked $25 off the price of its adult T.O. jerseys, said manager Randy Yinger.

T.O. wasn't really a big hit most of the season, he said. Quarterback Donovan "McNabb sold a lot better."

Fans who already have Owens merchandise might also be looking to dump it.

Before Monday's home game against the Dallas Cowboys, disenchanted fans will be depositing their T.O. jerseys in a casket as part of a mock funeral led by a Philadelphia WIP radio host during a pre-game show outside the Wachovia Center, said Stew Rhodes, president of the Central Pennsylvania Eagles Fan Club.

"The consensus of my Eagles fans is 'Good riddance.' ... They're all shelving his jerseys," Rhodes said. "I think people will be giving them to their relatives or people they don't like, or putting them in Goodwill containers," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said he never bought an Owens jersey and prefers safety Brian Dawkins.

At Bleacher Bums at Capital City Mall yesterday, manager Paul Mariano was marking down the price of some Owens jerseys.

"Because of all the bad press at the beginning of the season, we were selling the other guys fast and steadier than him. We were not selling a lot of Owens even with all the hype," Mariano said.

That wasn't the case last year.

"We couldn't keep him in. We got it late and it just blew out of here," Mariano said.

But when a sports star has a negative image, adults don't want to buy their gear for their kids, Mariano said.

"We have die-hard Eagles fans come in here and they all say the same thing -- 'Let him go,'" Mariano said.