Terrell
Owens’ soap opera behavior needs
to stop
SPORTS
COLUMN
Patrick
Hodgeson
“All
My Children,” “Days of our
Lives,” “General Hospital” and
now “One Eagle to Live,” starring
the defiant and outspoken Pro Bowl receiver
Terrell Owens. Owens’ invariable
antics with the Philadelphia Eagles hierarchy
over a new contract has become nothing
more than a soap opera and has produced
more horror and drama than a Stephen
King novel.
Last offseason, Owens used a loophole to void a trade that sent him to the
Baltimore Ravens and ultimately made him a free agent. Owens then signed with
the Philadelphia Eagles for $49 million over a seven-year period, which placed
him among the top five highest paid receivers in the NFL. One would think a
contract of this magnitude would be soothing, but not if your last name is
Owens.
Owens first displayed his displeasure about his contract when he signed a real-life
Jerry Maguire-type agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Owens went on several television
shows demanding a new contract and had some negative remarks about quarterback
Donovan McNabb.
As training camp approached for the Eagles, Owens reiterated his concerns about
a new contract and indicated he wouldn’t attend training camp unless
a new deal was reached. Eagles’ Head Coach and General Manager Andy Reid
was undaunted by Owens’ remarks and said the team would move forward
whether or not Owens was at camp.
After Reid and the rest of the Eagles management called Owens’ brusque,
Owens reported to camp on time. One might think the soap opera reached its
climax, however, this was only the beginning.
For one full week at Eagles camp, Owens wore camouflage attire with his headphones
on and refused to communicate with the majority of his teammates. He even engaged
in verbal confrontations with Reid, resulting in a one-week dismissal from
the team.
After his dismissal, Owens conducted four interviews in a span of two hours.
One of them was very bizarre and showed T.O. doing sit-ups and lifting weights
shirtless in front of his driveway for numerous reporters to observe.
Moments later Owens was on ESPN’s the “Hot List,” ESPN’s “Pardon
the Interruption,” and a preseason halftime game. In the interviews,
T.O. accused his offensive coordinator of being antagonistic and called McNabb
a hypocrite. In fact, Owens said in various interviews he had no desire to
speak to McNabb.
McNabb and Reid continued to take the high road and said they could still work
with Owens professionally. Before Owens could return to training camp the Eagles
front office sent him a letter giving him the ultimatum to either end his tirade
or be suspended for the year without pay.
Owens had no choice but to reform his attitude. Owens is now talking to all
of his teammates except McNabb. Although McNabb and Owens are not on speaking
terms they showed they can still lead the Eagles back to the Super Bowl by
routing the Cincinnati Bengals in preseason action Friday.
Owens had five receptions for 135 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass
from McNabb.
At the end of the day I remain skeptical that “One Eagle to Live” starring
Owens will be canceled this season, but I still expect the Eagles to have a
strong season.
In the next few months we will find out if T.O. has to go or if T.O. and McNabb
will live up to Philadelphia’s model as the city of brotherly love. Only
time will tell. |
