Posted on 11/20/2004 6:53:47 PM PST by CHARLITE
Rather than star quarterback Donovan McNabb or any other members of the Eagles, it seemed natural that the often-tacky Terrell Owens was the player who once again managed to find the gutter.
Out here on the Left Coast, we observed the Owens act for six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He openly feuded with coaches, teammates, and opponents. Owens' end zone antics such as the Sharpie incident became legendary. And embarrassing to anybody who believes athletes should be held to a higher standard! After the 2003 season, the self-centered and disruptive Owens had to go.
With his talent, the 49ers figured they would have no trouble getting rid of Owens but ''T.O.'' did not make a trade easily. A deal with Baltimore was cancelled because the selfish Owens decided he only wanted to play with Philadelphia. Even though the Eagles are presently 8-1 and cruising toward the playoffs, Owens engaged in a heated argument with McNabb on the sidelines during the only Philadelphia loss. T.O. has continued a San Francisco feud with a former teammate, broaching Jeff Garcia's alleged homosexuality in a national magazine. Although he didn't land to Baltimore, Owens still traded remarks with Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis concerning the latter's 2000 arrest on murder charges. Lewis was subsequently acquitted!
Please don't misinterpret the following because I am not encouraging any violence or harm to Owens or anybody else. But as a NFL fan who is disgusted that this once great sport is slouching toward Gomorrah: I muse over the following scenario:
Terrell Owens scores a touchdown. Upon starting some new demeaning dance or prance in the end zone, a gunshot is suddenly heard. A bullet lands at his feet. The frightened Owens runs straight to his locker (the same spot where he was propositioned by Nicollette Sheridan)! From that day forward, offensive "in your face" antics in the NFL are stopped cold. Beginning with "T.O," the players are forced to show a little dignity and sportsmanship not unlike the classy athletes we admired before the tawdry "gangsta" era began to grip nearly all of American culture, especially music and sports.
NASCAR and Jimmie Johnson
On the opposite side of the coin, we have NASCAR Nextel Cup racing where five drivers remain alive for the season long championship that will be decided Sunday in Homestead, Florida. Going into the finale, Kurt Busch has a slim lead over Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and veteran Mark Martin are also in the hunt but will need plenty of help and luck.
I'll admit to being a long time Jeff Gordon fan and winning his fifth championship would put him ever closer to the all-time records of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty. But over the past few weeks, I have become a huge admirer of Johnson, Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports teammate. Seemingly out of the championship hunt a few weeks ago, Johnson has crafted a clutch performance for the ages, winning four of the last five races. After the tragic plane crash that killed 10 members of the Hendrick Motorsports family, Johnson was most eloquent at the post-funeral press conference and everybody who saw the next race will not soon forget Johnson's humility following his emotional win in Atlanta.
Win or lose Sunday, Jimmie Johnson has demonstrated that he truly is a classy athlete, someone who you might want to see your kids emulate. "T.O." would be wise to take notice.
About the Writer: Ira Simmons is a versatile Bay Area columnist who closely follows events in politics, sports, and the entertainment industry. He maintains a website at: http://www.topthecharts.net
Ira receives e-mail at topthecharts@juno.com
Sadly, last night the Indiana Pacers made Owens look classy by comparison.
And no, I hold no truck with him as a person. He's a showoff and mean-spirited, and I detest that.
On that note, T.O. is a prick! I felt bad for the Ravens and I'm glad my Steelers made him look pathetic!
I would add the Detroit Pistons and their out of control, violent, tacky fans to that condemnation.
They just don't get it Red and Blue America.
I sure would like to see Owens get "de-cleated" by Rodney Harrison or another hard hitting DB.
Right on, something like 57 total yards and NO touchdowns! Loved it! And yet another episode on the sidelines, with T.O. supposedly trying to "motivate' McNabb!
T.O. is a Clown pure and simple. He has the mentality of a 10 year old but he does perform well on the field. My problem is with McNabb for going along supporting and humoring him. This doesn't show leadership from the QB and I think it has and will contimue to hurt, my team, the Eagles.
What... no photos?!?!
This is probably me being selfish, but I lived in Chicago during the Bulls second three-peat. I have no beef with Rodman.
T.O. holds the NFL record for catches in a game, with 20.
Enjoy the season and to hell with the sideline antics, the media's exagerations and other diversions. This Eagle team is going to be meeting the Steelers in the Super Bowl and, win or lose, it's going to be a great ride. As the saying goes, T.O. might be a clown but he's our clown...
Fortunately, the likes of Terrell Owens and Dennis Rodman fade quickly to the background.
Mark Martin? In the Viagra car? Real classy.
T.O is leading the NFL this year in receiving TDs and receiving yards.
Yeah it's just horrible that his team owner lets a pharmaceutical company pick up some of the tab of the millions it costs to run a season of racing.
sheesh.
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