What’s not to love about Terrell Owens. Let me count theways. The cocky, arrogant and loud-mouthed receiver who makesheadlines every week for his numerous on-field antics normallywould be despised by the majority of football fans. Yet Ican’t find a reason to dislike him.
Particular players in the NFL earned their respect simply byplaying the game. A Jerry Rice-type player simply comes to thestadium, gets his job done, and heads home. Yet a player likeOwens, who seems to thrive on the hatred brought on by NFL fans,makes his job interesting. And waking up every Sunday morning seemsto be easier and easier at the thought of what T.O. will dotoday.
Take for example last Sunday’s incident followingOwens’ touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Following anoff-season that included Owen’s refusal to join Baltimore,much hype was made of the Owens-Ray Lewis matchup last Sunday.
Now, any average player would simply go about and do his job,with no strings attached. Yet Owens takes that to the next level,impersonating Lewis’ pregame dance in the endzone after atouchdown. And give Owens’ props for doing a very good job ofthe impersonation — I was convinced I was seeing Lewis in anEagles jersey.
The fact that Owens’ ability to refuse to join Baltimore,exchange words with the Ravens’ organization following hissigning with the Eagles, and mock perhaps the most intimidatingplayer’s dance is what makes me love T.O.
In addition, the day following Owen’s dance portrayal, hesported an “I Love T.O.” shirt in an interview withESPN.
Now, like I said before, I can understand why a majority of fansdespise Owens, yet for a fan who still pulls for a Saint’steam that constantly disappoints, I need some extra inspiration. Ineed a guy like Owens to enjoy week after week since the Saints arenot fulfilling my weekly dosage of excitement.
Look at it like this — while I’m still a fan of thetrue team philosophy, I can always enjoy a clown like Owens.
I love the fact that Owens is able to disregard any form ofrespect as week after week he manages to step over players and fansacross the NFL.
Like in Cleveland, when Owens managed to rip an anti-Owensposter off the wall following a touchdown. Or his most famousincident of pulling a sharpie from his sock to sign a footballduring his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
Owens is fully aware of the distress he causes each and everySunday, and he loves it.
Yet, the most important part of my argument relates toOwens’ ability to back up his words.
Through seven games this season, Owens has accumulated 42catches for 697 yards and nine touchdowns all while managing totalk the talk.
Therefore, I’ve decided to toss my Saints memorabilia andstart sporting my “I Love T.O.” shirt. I’vedecided to scratch this team philosophy joke and stick with the oneman team philosophy. After all, for T.O., it’s not about thename on the front of the jersey, but the one on the back.