The Saga Continues; Terrell Owens' Thirst for Publicity

Without question, Terrell Owens' ability to perform on the field is admirable in the eyes of anyone who appreciates the game. It's his perception of HIMSELF that will ultimately result in the demise of T.O.'s football career. Before his alleged pain pill overdose, Terrell Owens has succeeded in grabbing headlines nationwide for reasons that rarely pertain to athletic accomplishments. He has chose this path to attention for as long as the media has been willing to provide it. As spectators of the game, we often find ourselves asking why. Why does a player with such athletic capacity always seem to embrace his negative publicity?

For some it's hard to believe that any organization is willing to accept Terrell Owens. For Terrell Owens, its probably harder to believe that he has made it this long in Dallas without some form of negative publicity (off the field, of course). Only 3 weeks into the regular season and T.O. has once again, succeeded. It may seem insensitive or even out of line to imply that Terrell Owens' "accidental" ingestion of pain pills is a desperate cry for attention, but some believe firmly that it is just that. It would explain how a headline as serious as attempted suicide (which was confirmed initially by paramedics) could be so nonchalantly disregarded by T.O. himself when questioned by the media. Sadly though, sports writers will continue to follow this story, adding to the unneccesary publicity that Terrell Owens strives for.

Whether or not Terrell Owens' off field reputation will remain a focal point in the eyes of the fans depends on the media's portrayal of him. It's highly unlikely that T.O. will ever adopt a "leave it on the field" mentality in regards to public attention. For this reason, It seems plausible that Terrell Owens' days in the National Football League are numbered. Few teams have the salary or most importantly, patience for a player like T.O.. Add to this the fact that Terrell Owens has no concept of comradery, and your left with an all star player with no place to call home (it fits the pattern of his carrer thus far).

What's sad about Terrell Owens' addiction to the spot light is his lack of pride for his own athletic capacity. Terrell Owens is a player that every coach, based on his statistical achievements, should want on his team. Because T.O. can't properly function as a team player, few organizations will every sincerely consider accepting him (after Dallas).

Suppose the media dropped their fascination with sensless Terrel Owens stories. Suppose Terrel Owens was left with no choice but to obtain publicity based on his athletic ability. Suppose Terrell Owens had to send his message on the field, like every other professional athlete in the league. Will things ever change with T.O.? Outcome doubtful.