Chiefs saddened by T.O.’s troubles

? News that Terrell Owens may have attempted suicide shocked and saddened the Kansas City Chiefs, who are keenly aware of the pressures that bear down on professional athletes, both stars and also-rans.

“You know this game has got a lot of pressure and you hope guys are strong enough,” said guard Brian Waters. “We know we’re strong enough in the weight room, strong enough on the football field and strong enough to battle back from injuries. But will you be strong enough to say, ‘Hey, if I’ve got an issue, will I be strong enough to get some help?”‘

Owens, the flamboyant wide receiver of the Dallas Cowboys, later denied a police report that he had attempted suicide and added he felt good enough to play on Sunday.

Several media outlets received a police report – that had not yet been released by police – that said Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on painkillers. The document officially released by police had many sections blacked out.

Regardless, the pressures on athletes seem to increase as salaries escalate and fans become more critical, several Chiefs said.

“I’ve been around people that I could see their confidence was shaken,” deep snapper Kendall Gammon said. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve played one year or 20 years. If your last performance wasn’t great, you start to question yourself. It takes a lot of mental toughness.”

Owens, one of the league’s top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

“He might be in a unique situation because he is under so much media scrutiny all the time, whether it be self-imposed or not,” defensive end Eric Hicks said of Owens. “He brings it on himself a lot. People make a lot of money and there’s a lot of competition in this business. The pressure to perform week in and week out is great.”

Meanwhile, quarterback Trent Green, who is out indefinitely after recovering from a severe concussion he suffered Sept. 10, was at practice Wednesday visiting with his teammates.

“He’s better, no doubt,” said coach Herm Edwards. “He’s driving. He couldn’t drive before.”