I can only imagine the vitriol that this headline stirs up in the hearts of fans around the country, From San Francisco, to Philadelphia, down to Dallas and back. T.O. has left a legacy. While most people can not stand Terrell Owens, it is based on the past and not present. Does this mean that T.O. is a better person, a changed person at this point in his life? No, not necessarily. But he could be.
We have seen all the trash that has circulated through the media over the last several months regarding the future Hall of Famer. Articles decrying his character as a deadbeat dad of multiple children, a washed up star battling depression (even contemplating suicide), to a man who squandered a fortune. Most of us fail to find sympathy for the man who once said, "they love to hate me". The money that he has made and squandered is perplexing and appalling to the average American who struggles to get by. Forgetting the narrative that suggests Owens was the victim of a crooked financial adviser and greedy baby mamas, we want him to reap what he has sown. After all, he has lost more than most of us ever have the chance to ever find. How could we want him to receiver anymore second chances? It's not like we get second chances.
It's a natural human response. Especially to one whose antics clearly revealed extreme levels of narcissism, anger, and a general disregard for other human beings not named T.O. But what is it that "the player" has done to be so reviled among athletes? Has he ever been arrested for a DUI? When has he ever been charged with assault? What drug did Terrell ever get convicted of possessing or trafficking? When was the last time T.O. failed the league's substance abuse policy? How many times has Terrell manipulated league drug tests? When did he ever say, "I play when I want to play," or ask, "for who, for what"? How many animals has he harmed? Has he ever been accused of taking someone's life?
No. He has never been charged or even accused of doing any of those things. Rather he is simply recognized as a selfish guy and a bad teammate. Not glowing endorsements, but hardly crimes. In fact, if I were to ask you or any NFL personnel the most recent T.O. antic that negatively affected his team, they would have to go back to his time with the Dallas Cowboys.
Oddly enough that is years ago, and he has played briefly on two teams since. Not only was he well behaved in Buffalo, but he was the best player during his injury shortened season in Cincinnati as well. Yes there was a bit of a circus atmosphere with the whole Batman and Robin stuff, but Carson Palmer and the Bengals knew exactly what they were getting when the paired 85 with 81. They asked for it and they got it. But even with all the "fun" it was not detrimental to the team. It was his injury, not his attitude, that hurt them.
Since the ACL injury that ended his 2010 season, T.O. has dropped to some new lows. He has had great financial troubles as well as being humbled enough that he would play in the Indoor Football League. That stint didn't last very long, but it wasn't because he couldn't play or that he was a bad teammate. Rather the PR stunts that came with the job were too much for the fading star to bear.
Owens has gone to great lengths at this point to try to reshape his image, and more than likely it is too far gone. However, I think it is foolish for a team to not let him try to earn one of the many additional spots they have on the post CBA rosters. The deal doesn't have to be filled with anything but league minimums and incentives. He has publicly said he doesn't want anything more than a chance to compete. He said he was even willing to play a backup role. Do I think that the old T.O. is dead, I am not sure. But it doesn't matter.
One thing that he has established in his legacy is that he has often been praised for having a tremendous work ethic and practice habits. Why wouldn't a team with young receivers like the Jaguars, Broncos, or Browns invite him to camp. So what if he doesn't have the legs anymore? Who cares if he is still a selfish and arrogant jerk? Let him come in and show these young guys how to work through the dog days of summer. Maybe he can't show them how to be a teammate or a class act, but he can show them how to be a professional receiver who masters his craft. Maybe he will even surprise some of these teams and quietly produce like he did in Cincinnati.
You can't tell me that the Jaguars or Browns could argue with 70 receptions, a 1,000 yards and a handful of touchdowns. If it doesn't work, cut him and move on. Honestly, what do they have to lose?
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That Owens isn't a criminal or a drug addict seems immaterial.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, few people are campaigning for Claude Wroten or Marcus Vick to get another chance.
No, people don't like Owens for the same reasons they don't like Charlie "I'm a rock star from Mars" Sheen or LeBron "The decision" James. They're raging, out of control egomaniacs.
Owens is the guy, after all, who once said, "I love me some me." Not that he ever needed to convince us. He consistently exalted himself and threw the media, teammates, coaches, whoever he could think of under the bus for his team's failings on the field.
TO doesn't have a job because he burnt every bridge he ever crossed over. People have long memories, especially in the NFL. Owens is living in the reality he created for himself.
You are correct in almost everything you said, however contrary to popular belief people do change.
DeleteDo I think T.O. has truly changed, and that this is not just more of a PR ruse? Not really. But I have no way of knowing.
I still think there is tremendous value in having T.O. in camp for some team, even if it is simply for training camp alone. Cut him before the season starts if you need to. He will teach the young guys how to work, which apparently is needed more than most realize. Rarely do these young athletes come in to the league with the realization of the tremendous responsibility that comes with being a professional athlete. I know T.O. can't teach all of that, but at least he can show them the physical work ethic.
Owens is poison in the locker room. The risks out weight the reward by a wide margin. Why risk hurting the chemistry of your team for an average, at best, wide reciever? Doesn't make sense, T.O. is no where near as good as he once was. You can bring in a reciever with equal talent without all the baggage.
ReplyDeleteLet T.O. go back to the hood where he belongs. A broken down hood rat, that owes a ton of money for all of his babies. I think T.O. would make a good cashier at Burger King. At least he could pay his child support. LOL
Has he been a poison in the past, no question. Could he still be a poison, no question. But how much harm can a player do to a team during mini-camp?
DeleteT.O. very well may not be good anymore, but in 2010 when he last played he was far from average. In fact he was 18th in the league in receiving yards and tied for 14th in touchdowns. That production puts him as better than half the league's #1 receivers.
Now does that mean he has anything left? Nope, but I wouldn't mind wasting some summer practices to find out.
Also, hood rat is quite an unfair an inaccurate representation. He was born and raised in Alexander City, Alabama...a city of roughly 15,000 residents.
It is also good to note that an article released today stated the Terrell Owens is now paid up in child support.
T.O. may be washed up, poisonous, and a selfish still, but let's at least find out, instead of making an assumption based on past behaviors.
The players in the NFL are role models for the youth of America. They should act accordingly. There is no room for scum like T.O. in the NFL. That would be sending our kids the wrong message. You want kids to learn that they should be responsible for their actions.
ReplyDeleteYou don't make a bunch of kids and then expect welfare to take care of them.
T.O. is your typical hood rat. Make a bunch of kids and let someone else take care of them. Keep T.O. out of the NFL, he is nothing but a BAD EXAMPLE.
As far as him changing, I say bull sh**. You can a hood rat out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of the hood rat.
I would say this about Terrell Owens. He seems like a desperate person due to his current lot in life. He seems remorseful and seems that he realizes what he has squandered. People who are in desperate situations can be extraordinarily thankful to anyone willing to give them an opportunity and if I felt my team was a 2nd or 3rd WR from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender I might consider inviting him to camp. That being said, with his name out there, you are inviting a media firestorm to your training camp and into you clubhouse, regardless of how good or bad TO acts, due to the cache his name garners. That will distract the team, particularly if it is a young team. As to one of your other points, I am unsure Cleveland or Jacksonville are places he would want to sign. For much his career, he was the best or 2nd best at his craft in the NFL. If he is going to a team IMO, it will be in an attempt to win a Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteGabes22
Excellent points Gabes.
DeleteI live in cincinnati. I would love to see him back. He caused no distractions here. He out performed our other recievers. I think the guy has changed. You are correct about the media crush he would bring but he handles himself differently now. Life has taught him some harsh lessons. I say he would be an asset to many teams in the nfl.
ReplyDelete