Owens Undone by Two Failing Report Cards
In elementary school, there was a line on the report card. It had to do with getting along well with others. It was hard to get a minus there. In fact, since I always got a plus, my friends always got a plus, and even the mean kids got a check, I remember doubting anyone could get a negative grade. But there’s this guy on the Philadelphia Eagles who has changed my perspective.
Here’s the deal with Terrell Owens. He’s not a thug. He hasn’t been busted for drugs, and hasn’t been in domestic dispute. He doesn’t seem like a real bad guy. And he is an excellent wide receiver, probably the best in the National Football League. The NFL is, of course, full of reclamation projects, most with far less ability then Owens.
How many chances was Lawrence Phillips given? NFL teams have accepted drug addicts, accused murderers, and con artists under its tent.
And yet, Owens, despite being none of those things, is public enemy No. 1 in the league. Two teams have said that no matter how great he is on the field, the cost of his off-field distractions is too much.
The 49ers tired of his act and dealt him to Philadelphia. Now Eagles’ coach Andy Reid says Owens won’t play for him this season
Some have even doubted whether Owens will find work in the NFL again. OK, lets not go that far. Someone will give him a job. His 716 career catches won’t go unnoticed.
But there is a lesson here. Owens is not the worst of what the NFL has to offer, but he is the loudest and the most annoying. He’s petty. He’s self-absorbed. He attacks teammates for no reason.
In 2004 he went after then-Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia, making comments about his sexual preference. It was wrong and offensive, but it was even more puzzling. Why would Owens say it? What did he gain from it?
He got his name on television. That was more than enough for T.O.
This season, Owens made Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb his target. McNabb, by most accounts, was minding his own business when Terrell took him to task for … something. After a while it gets hard to remember.
Then Owens insinuated the Eagles would be better if Brett Favre was the quarterback. Well yeah, a lot of people may think that, but a teammate shouldn’t say it.
So why did he do it? Because Owens has made it blatantly obvious that win or lose, he has to be the center of attention. He will compromise his team’s confidence to get it.
In the past, it was said that a player could get away with anything if he showed up and did his job. As it turns out, a player could do almost anything. If Owens had a drug problem, he’d be in rehab. If he had a legal problem, the Eagles would probably stand by him and send him to a good lawyer.
But Owens set new standards for egotism. In truth, Terrell Owens is nothing more than a talented 11-year-old kid.
And just like in recess, there’s a kid who is far too annoying to invite into your pickup game.
Maybe that’s the guy that got a minus on his report card.

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