NFL Hall Of Famer Terrell Owens Sued For Defamation By 3 Friends Of College Student Nolan Wells, Who Was Found D3ad After Mississippi Island Trip

Terrell Owens, Nolan Wells & his friends

NFL Hall Of Famer Terrell Owens Sued For Defamation By 3 Friends Of College Student Nolan Wells, Who Was Found Dead After Mississippi Island Trip

NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens is facing a federal defamation lawsuit from three friends of Nolan Wells, the 18-year-old Black college student who was found d3ad off the coast of Horn Island, Mississippi, following a Fourth of July outing.

According to the Associated Press, the fathers of the three young men — who are under 21 and considered minors under Mississippi law — filed the lawsuit on their sons’ behalf. The suit centers on a social media post Owens made after a Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend criminal charges in connection with Wells’ d3ath. Owens shared a video that allegedly theorized the three friends were involved in Wells’ d3ath and tampered with his phone, writing, “ARR3ST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” The lawsuit accuses Owens of defaming the young men by amplifying the allegations to his large social media following.

“Not only is he defaming them, he’s basically saying to the m0b, get your pitchforks, get your torches,” attorney Edward Paltzik, who represents the three friends, told the AP. Owens had previously pledged $25,000 toward a reward for information leading to an arr*st and conviction in Wells’ d3th. The AP said it attempted to reach Owens for comment and his management company but did not immediately receive a response. The lawsuit against Owens comes as the three friends pursue or consider additional legal action over public statements surrounding Wells’ d3ath. They previously indicated plans to sue civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton and The View co-host Sunny Hostin over comments made while discussing the case. The friends’ attorneys have also pursued defamation claims against content creators. Meanwhile, Wells’ family continues to challenge the findings surrounding his d3ath and has called for federal authorities to investigate the case.