when you are in the EndZone... act like you've been there before.
Posted on 11/09/2005 9:59:45 AM PST by 7thson
I'm sure by now you and everyone else in the football world is tired of hearing about Terrell Owens. Believe me, I'm tired of talking about it.
But when I think of this situation, I can't help but be reminded that in this day and age, "bad" behavior is still often rewarded in the end. Whatever happened to the good old days when older players kept the young ones in check? When a rookie came into the game and veterans taught them respect by having them do things like pick up laundry bags or sing at the training table or bring Friday breakfast to their position meetings? These tasks and others like them allowed the veterans to make youngsters a part of the team. But more importantly, it gave younger players a feeling of respect for the game, an acceptance of the traditions that have been passed down from previous generations.
Somewhere along the line, that process fractured. The fact of the matter is, more and more players are showing less respect for the game, partly as a result of that failed indoctrination process. It's become all about showboating and celebrating after routine plays, about getting time in front of the camera after you score. So many players today would rather show up guys from the other team or pad their own stats (and wallets) than go about their business and pursue the ultimate prize, a Super Bowl win.
I'm only saying all this because I honestly feel that there is some team out there who will give T.O. another chance. I want to be perfectly clear when I make this next statement: I don't think Terrell Owens should be forever banned from the game, either. I think he will soon wind up truly missing the game, and the game will miss his skill and flair. I honestly believe that if he gets a chance with any team, he should earn a minimum-salary contract, with numerous incentives built in. I point to the approach the Miami Dolphins took with fellow receiver David Boston, who signed for the minimum but worked in a number of incentives. T.O. is too good a talent not to wind up somewhere, but I do not think he should be rewarded with a hefty contract right away.
I'm sure by now some readers are wondering just how the game will miss him. Well, let's not forget that, for the most part, T.O.'s celebrations used to be entertaining and refreshing. He has even earned a reputation as something of an innovator, for without .O., players like Chad Johnson and Joe Horn would not be trying so hard to add their own creativity. Aside from that, T.O. has the kind of work ethic common to most great athletes. I've never questioned his professionalism on the football field. It's only what he's done off the field that I have problems with.
My point is that as long as players in the league think they are untouchable, they will never start to see poor behavior as being inappropriate. And things will never get better if these types of players are rewarded with hefty contracts and the promise of keeping a job in the NFL. This game has been played professionally for over 80 years, and for the most part it's been a great run. Many great people have worked hard to make it what it is today.
I do appreciate the fact that there is still room for creativity and expression. Michael Irvin was the first wide receiver I saw get up and make the first-down expression, and that has since become a popular move. Since then, we've seen player after player do his part to be creative and different.
But this is not an individual sport, and there is no room in the game for players to think they can do it alone. So when you turn against your teammates time and time again only to apologize when it's convenient to your personal gain, then it's easily seen as not heartfelt and difficult to accept.
There is nothing wrong with being critical of your co-workers or your employer. But this is a case where one person has taken the matter way too far, and it's been accompanied by a steady whining and complaining about everything.
Grow up. Or, even better, just shut up and play football.
Perhaps you're not aware of this thing called "the market"? It is a system whereby people freely exchange goods and services for a mutually-agreed-upon price.
SD
TO made it known that he was ticked off that the Eagles didn't draw special attention to his 100th career touchdown by highlighting it on the scoreboard or something along those lines. But the Eagles team policy is that they don't do that, and most of his touchdowns had come with a different team anyway.
There was an article in the paper the other day. The Eagles let Duce Staley go a few years ago and the Steelers picked him up. He was injured much of last and this year and kept silent when others got to play ahead of him. He knew the team was more important than him.
Last week, due to injuries to others, he got his chance to play again, and helped the team win.
Contrast the player the Eagles gave up, to TO. That's a heck of a story, but not one made for TV highlight shows.
SD
Total turn-off, pro sports are nothing more than tribalism IMO.
It's admirable when someone puts the success of the organization above his own ego. There are too few people like that in many career fields!
when you are in the EndZone... act like you've been there before.
I also parallel it to politics. Some will argue "most players are okay", I call BS. If they are so "okay" then they shold come out and speak publicly and condemn bad behavior and the "gansterfying" of pro sports. Instead they are like politicians they stand behind the players' union and cash their checks like cowards. The talking points are always the same and nothing changes.
It would be so refreshing for several coaches and/or players to speak out and call these certain players what they are and inforce a strict set of rules and/or protocols. While they are at it invoke a felony clause, get convicted you are out.
Any change it too late for me I do not watch and never will again.
BUMP!
Get a grip. You ask a dumb question about how a player is "deserving" of their salaries, and someone is going to explain the market to you. That's all. I never said I support those types of players (I've been saying the exact opposite, actually). I never said these players are heroes. I never said I go into debt for tickets.
Get a grip. If it's so unimportant, why are you here wasting pixels on the subject?
SD
Ever notice Keyshawn Johnson and Randy Moss are quieter these days? Seems they realized the receivers with Jerry Rice's kind of reputation do not act like T.O.
Not only that, I would hope that other owners are paying attention as well. Now, like I said, there have always been a core group of class owners in the NFL. They never have tolerated this type of shenanigans. But there are always owners without class or who are desperate. It is those latter owners who may come to realize that these types of players are not worth the investment. They might decide to emulate the class organizations.
SD
I don't think the love boat thing is completely forgotten. They may have earned themselves some time and some goodwill, but I don't think it's forgotten.
N.B.A. nowadays stands for "Nuthin But A$$holes"
Oh for heavens' sake. There is absolutely no consistency in who gets to play after infractions, breaking laws, for instance, and over the top criticism of one's teammates.
If you wish to debate whether society should place a high value on sports versus other endeavors, that would be a worthwhile debate. But when you say like a liberal "why does he deserve to be paid that much" you betray your ignorance of the market.
SD
It's never too late to be taught respect. For one thing learning to respect people and institutions tends to develop late in a person's maturity as smaller things in life have more importance, for another the only people whose personalities are done developing are the ones in the grave.
Well stated! And on a related note, I think the race to the bottom REALLY picked up steam when they started selling stadium naming rights to entities that have little or nothing to do with sports or the team's hometown. IMO quite a few of the stadiums out there have "official" names that sound, to put it mildly, rather dorky;)
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