Cowboys release WR Terrell Owens

The Dallas Cowboys confirmed Thursday they are releasing star wide receiver Terrell Owens, a move the player had already relayed to teammates.

Several of Owens’ Dallas teammates said they received text messages from Owens saying he was informed Wednesday that he would be released, an article on the Cowboys’ Web site stated. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed the move Thursday afternoon.

Terrell Owens was a very productive player who performed at a very high level for all three of his years here in Dallas, said Jones. “But we have made a decision to move forward without him.

In the aftermath of the season, we talked about change. Some of what is changing involves the process and some of it involves people. This is a decision that was made based on upon consideration for an entire team. We will move on now with a team — a new attitude — and into a new stadium. The evaluation process and the prospect for change will continue at every level of the organization.

Owens joined the Cowboys in 2006 and has had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including in 2008 when he caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had a total of 38 touchdown receptions in his time with the Cowboys. He set a franchise record with 15 touchdown receptions in 2007.

But he was also seen often as an on-the-field distraction and negative influence in the locker room.

Dallas signed Owens to a four-year, $34 million, including a $12.9 million signing bonus, contract extension last season.

Owens, 35, is a 13-year NFL veteran, having played for San Francisco and Philadelphia before joining Dallas. He has 951 catches for 14,122 yards and 139 touchdowns in his career.