T.O., just shut up.
In the past few weeks all I have seen from you is crying and moaning about your current free agency dilemma.
And to think, your career started out so promising. You had that remarkable touchdown catch at the end of the 1999 Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers to seal the victory for San Francisco. After the game, I vividly remember the tears of joy running down your face as you embraced Steve Mariucci on the sidelines.
Following the game you transformed from quiet Terrell Owens to loud and Totally Obnoxious T.O.
First, you complained about the lack of balls thrown your way.
Then you complained that Jeff Garcia, who has been to three Pro Bowls in his five NFL seasons, was not a good quarterback.
Next you complained that you wanted out from San Francisco and bragged about how you were going to sign with a new team during the 2004 free agency period.
So here it was, the 2004 free agency period. Your big moment in the sun, and you dropped the Sharpie. You and your agent forgot to fill out the proper paper work to void the final two years of your contract in San Francisco.
You did not forget the Sharpie in your sock in Seattle, nor did you forget to run to the center of Texas Stadium and act like a fool in Dallas. But somehow, someway, you forgot to fill out paper work.
In the words of Allen Iverson: “Paper work. We are talking about paper work here. Not my performance in the game, but paper work.”
So you were forced to remain with the 49ers, because of your error. Instead of sucking it up like a man, you cried. You cried about how unfair it was. You cried about how you should be a free agent. You cried about how much you wanted to be traded because the situation in San Francisco was just too unbearable.
Luckily for you they gave in. They traded you for a second round pick to the Baltimore Ravens. Let me repeat that, a second round pick. You are one of the best receivers in the league and they traded you for only a second round pick.
Within a day you should have publicly thanked the 49ers for doing you a huge favor and getting you out of San Francisco. But you did not do that. Instead, you did what you do best — cried.
This time you cried because you did not want to be a Raven. You wanted to be an Eagle and catch passes from Mr. Chunky Soup.
So to get out of your new team’s custody, you and the NFL Players Association have filed a grievance to have the trade revoked, making you a free agent.
“So that there is no misunderstanding, regardless of what happens with the grievance, under the present circumstances I do not see myself playing for the Ravens,” said Owens in an ESPN.com article.
Well, guess what, Mr. Owens, I do see you playing for the Ravens. The NFL sets rules and mandates for a purpose. You and your agent did not do what was necessary to become a free agent. Therefore, you do not get to reap the benefits of a player who is a free agent.
Quit your crying and your search for a new team, and fire your agent.
But in the meantime do not stop crying because Americans love to see grown men with man tears.