Terrell Owens played wide receiver in the NFL for 15 seasons. During his career, he earned about 80 million dollars from playing.
Owens has four children with four different women. Courts ordered him to pay $44,600 each month in child support for the four kids. This added up to more than $500,000 per year.
Terrell Owens’ off-the-field shenanigans
Melanie Smith is the mother of one of Owens’ daughters. He agreed to pay her 5,000 dollars per month. This made up part of the total monthly support amount.
In 2012, Owens fell behind. He owed Smith 20,000 dollars. This came after he missed several payments. Smith filed a motion in court to have him held in contempt.
Terrell Owens
Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Owens skipped the first hearing in Fulton County. The judge said he could go to jail if he missed the next one. Owens showed up for the later date. He paid all 20,000 dollars owed and covered her lawyer’s costs. This stopped the jail threat.
HEARTBREAKING: #NFL legendary WR Terrell Owens had to pay OVER $500K A YEAR in child support…
Owens allegedly owed $44,600 monthly to support all 4 kids with different women.
TO nearly faced jail time for falling behind on these payments despite making $80M in his career.
😳 pic.twitter.com/fqOjE7caw4
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 18, 2026
Earlier, Owens asked the court to reduce his monthly payment to Smith from $5,000 to $ 2,500. He told the judge he no longer earned an NFL salary. The request was denied.
Owens faced payment issues with the mothers of his other three children as well. His total support remained at $44,600 each month.
He had made $ 80 million in the NFL but later reported financial problems. Owens tried to have the support amounts reduced due to his changed income. Courts reviewed his cases based on the facts.
The four children were between five and 12 years old during the main court actions in 2012. Owens made efforts to catch up on what he owed whenever he got behind.
He followed the orders to support his kids. The payments came from his past earnings and any new income. This situation continued for several years after he stopped playing professional football.
Owens handled the financial responsibilities tied to his family. He handled each case as it arose to avoid further court issues.
After retiring from the NFL, Owens wanted to lower his payments because his income was much less than before. He initially faced rejections but has returned to court multiple times to modify the agreements as his financial situation changed.
Terrell Owens is considered one of the best and most talked-about wide receivers in NFL history. He ranks third for the most career receiving yards and touchdowns, with impressive totals of 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, joining an elite group of players. Notably, he is the only player who has scored a touchdown against every NFL team at least twice, showcasing his remarkable skills on the field.