I've never really spent any significant time herein discussing the life and times of one Terrell Owens. With recent events, I will do so now. T.O. is many things, either in perception or reality: pariah, cancer, showman, showboat, superstar, myopic, self-absorbed, victim, the best at what he does, the ultimate risk, a physical marvel, a psychological enigma. A third round pick from a no-name school (Tennesee-Chatanooga), Owens made himself into perhaps the finest football player in the world. But year after year T.O.'s place in the sports pantheon has ebbed and flowed. Last week it was reported that Owens attempted to take his life by overdosing on medication. The mystery surrounding the entire fiasco left many questions. Why would someone as prominent and wealthy and seemingly happy as Terrell Owens try to commit suicide? One remembers Owens' appearance on the Donnie Deutch talk show in which Owens openly shed tears as he talked about his life as a public villain after his much-publicized contract dispute with the Philadelphia Eagles. It is a fascinating dichotomy: super-human professional athlete and emotionally vulnerable man at the same time. But everything T.O. does seems to reek of publicity and ulterior motives. I think Owens is an amazing athlete. As a weight training enthusiast I envy his incredible physique. But the man makes it almost impossible to like him. From his public squabbles with teammates (Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb most notably) to coaches (his tirades with his then-offensive coordinator in San Francisco Greg Knapp are the stuff of legend) to the media for portraying him in unfavorable light. I would ask, Has Owens ever given the public any reason to like him? Much like Barry Bonds, T.O. has created an aura of haughtiness and disregard for anyone but himself. I actually respect a person who can open up and show emotion (was anyone mad at Tiger Woods for weeping in caddie Steve Williams' arms after he won the British Open following his father's death?) When T.O. opens up, though, it seems more about the injustices he's been dealt than any real connection with us as fans. His appearance on the aforementioned talk show, for example, came during the contract dispute in which he declared $49 million wasn't enough. Not exactly the way to win the peoples' hearts. Anytime money comes up most fans automatically shut off. Working 50 or 60 hours a week for pennies has a way of creating animosity between the cry baby athlete and the working single-parent. I actually agreed with Owens at the time-he was worth more than he was being paid. But he signed the contract of his own volition. Now T.O. is shrouded in mental health questions and speculation. Depression and suicide are no laughing matter. If Owens is suffering from some mental health issue we should cut him some slack and wish him well on the road to recovery and stability. But somehow I envision Drew Rosenhaus in a lab somewhere concocting T.O.'s next media splash, like some evil puppeteer. Terrell Owens is many things. To the Cowboys he is a risk they hope pays off in a Super Bowl. To the fans he is the player they hate to love and love to hate. To himself he is misunderstood. To me he is an amalgamation of all that is right and all that is wrong in society. And if nothing else, he always makes for good copy.
Quote of the Week:
"Suffering is but another name for the teaching of experience, which is the parent of instruction and the schoolmaster of life"-Horace
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