Terrell Owens was "blindsided" by his release from the Dallas Cowboys, he said in an interview with Canadian television channel Rogers Sportsnet.

Owens, who had signed a four-year contract extension last summer, said he had been told by team owner Jerry Jones he would remain with the Cowboys. He signed with Buffalo following his release by Dallas after the season.

"You hear all the speculation, and you talk to the owner of the team, and he reassures you, you're not going anywhere and then, out of left-field and you get blindsided," Owens said.

Owens said the decision was not completely made by Jones.

"I know whole-heartedly he wanted me there," Owens said. "There were some people I know who got in his ear that pressured him to make that decision. For that, it's sad. You let two or three people conspire to get me out of the situation."

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