Stockton, CA – Signaling a possible thawing of their once frosty relationship, San Francisco 49’ers Head Coach Steve Mariucci and Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Terrell Owens recently exchanged colorful, homemade friendship bracelets.
The bracelets were made in an arts & crafts class that took place at the recent 49’ers minicamp at the University of the Pacific.
"I made mine with some little pooka shells that I dipped in glue and covered with gold and maroon glitter, and then threaded together with thin pieces of gold and maroon twine," said an obviously proud Owens, pointing to the bracelet on the hand that Mariucci rested comfortably on his shoulder during the post-bracelet-exchange press conference.
"I wanted him to know that he’s my best friend in the whole world now," Owens added. "Even better than Willie [Owens’ longtime agent William Bensley], who used to be my best friend but isn’t anymore because Moochie is now."
"That’s what he calls me now," Mariucci happily reported, shaking the shoulder of his new best friend as the kitchy bracelet dangled between them. "‘Moochie’. Isn’t he the best?"
Displaying a certain "sixth sense" that can only exist between two new best friends for life, Mariucci, unbeknownst to Owens, nearly made the exact same bracelet for his star wide receiver while sitting only two desks down in an arts & crafts session run by Niners defensive coordinator JimMora.
"He [Mariucci] used the very same 49’ers gold and maroon sparkle and gold and maroon twine that Terrell did," Mora said. "But instead of pooka shells, he used tiny, uncooked macaroni curls, because he said ‘mac and cheese is Terrell’s favorite food.’"
When asked if the new bond between Mariucci and Owens would affect the team, Mora nodded emphatically. "It’s about time those two guys buried the hatchet. This team can now get down to the business of winning football games without off-field distractions."
"As long as they don’t turn out to be gay or anything," he added. "That would be a whole new type of distraction"
Responding to whether their relationship had in fact progressed beyond a plutonic stage, Mariucci laughed and denied the ridiculous suggestion.
"Of course not. I just know that T.O’s favoritest food in the whole world is pasta," he said, pointing to the bracelet that Owens, in turn, held draped over the coach’s shoulder during the press conference. "So I used the macaroni."
"He calls me ‘T.O’. now," Owens leaned over and said, nearly bumping heads with his coach, which sent the two off into a long bout of giggling. "And you already know I call him ‘Moochie.’ This is the best camp in the world. I’m definitely coming back every summer if I can play with Moochie all day and stuff. I told my agent to make it happen or I’ll fire his Harvard ass."
The two wrapped up the press conference by officially announcing that they’d be sharing a bunkbed for the remainder of minicamp. They then pressed their bracelets against one another in an elaborate "Wonder Twin Power"-type display of solidarity, and sprinted off to archery lessons.
Left: A few of the bracelets Mariucci and Owens made during camp; Right: Coach and player demonstrate secret "best friends" handshake.