Terrell Owens' Rep Denies Reports of Athlete's Suicide Attempt

Terrell Owens (Reuters)

A publicist for football star Terrell Owens says he "absolutely" did not attempt suicide or overdose on pills earlier this month, despite reports based off a 911 call from the athlete's house.

In a statement, publicist Diana Bianchini says an assistant arrived at Owens' home on Oct. 6 after he had taken a sleeping aid to fall asleep.

The assistant did not realize that, became concerned and called 911. Bianchini says that when police arrived, Owens was responsive.

Bianchini says "reports released with the 911 call (Thursday) are misleading and not factual."

On Thursday, TMZ said it obtained the 911 call placed moments before Owens was rushed to an L.A. hospital for a possible pill overdose. According to his assistant, the NFL and reality star was trying to kill himself, TMZ said.

During the call, placed at 11:02 p.m., the dispatcher asks the assistant "Was this a suicide attempt?" -- and she responds, "Yes, I believe so."

While she was on the phone with the dispatcher, the woman claims Owens was "talking to his girlfriend, ex-girlfriend ... [I]don't really know what you wanna call it," TMZ reported.

Owens was hospitalized in 2006 when he insisted he had a bad reaction to painkillers, despite reports that he tried to commit suicide by inhaling 35 Vicodin pills.

Owens later held a news conference on the matter and stated, "The rumor of me taking 35 pills, I think is absurd. I don't think I would be here if I had taken 35 pills," TMZ reported.

The 37-year-old free-agent wide receiver has been rehabilitating a left knee injury that required surgery. He played 14 games for Cincinnati last season, making 72 receptions with nine touchdowns.

TMZ and The Associated Press contributed to this report.