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Owens fined for spitting incident

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Atlanta Falcons 38-28 on Saturday, improving to 9-5, having clinched playoff berth. But the headlines involving the team, this week as throughout the season, are less about their on firld performance and more about their flamboyant wide receiver Terrell Owens. Five receptions, 69 yards and two touchdowns are enough to prove that T.O. is a top player in top form. Spitting at cornerback DeAngelo Hall is just being T.O.

The NFL announced on Monday that Owens has been fined $35,000 for the spitting incident. Owens spat at Hall after he was knocked out of bounds on a pass play in the first quarter. He was not ejected from the game because the officials missed the incident. After the game, Owens apologized for his act, saying "I got frustrated and I apologize." Then on Monday, Owens claimed it was an accident, saying Hall was simply so close to his face.

Owens will play next week, in an important match against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who trail the Cowboys by one game in the NFC East. The game will be carried live nationally on Christmas Day and Owens, who also leads the NFL with 11 touchdown catches, will try to behave on his best side.