Terrell Owens: Please go away.
I’m almost to the point of begging. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver has hogged headlines for weeks with his cries for a new contract.
Thankfully, the Eagles have suspended T.O. because of several factors, according to head coach Andy Reid. Owens is suspended for the next four games and then will be deactivated for the rest of the season pending a grievance filed by Owens seeking to overturn the suspension.
It’s about time.
I’ll admit, I’m guilty of writing about Owens in a story about sports attorney Leigh Steinberg’s visit to the University last week.
But enough is enough.
It seems as though no player like Owens has ever grabbed this many headlines. It’s almost as if there are no other newsworthy players on the Eagles roster or there are no other newsworthy happenings. Last time I checked college basketball was starting and college football was in full swing, and we’re talking about Owens?
It’s time to focus on more newsworthy events. Owens is one person – one player – on a team.
Every night on ESPN or any sports show, it seems, is headlined by the latest tidbit of Owens criticizing team management or quarterback Donovan McNabb or Team President Joe Banner; the list goes on and on.
Reportedly, Owens is dating model Felisha Terrell. One professional sportswriter creatively suggested Owens marry Terrell and adopt her last name to become Terrell Terrell.
I’m waiting for the announcement of his reality show on a major television network. The sports nation can watch spellbound as his girlfriend caters to his every whim. Think “Newlyweds” with Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson with a more lopsided relationship – Terrell, Terrell and more Terrell for viewers’ pleasure. Forget the question of tuna or chicken, try “How do I treat a teammate correctly?”
Philadelphia isn’t Owens first burned bridge. He heavily criticized ex-teammate Jeff Garcia in an interview in Playboy magazine.
Owens now joins a league of other troubled athletes whose names have grabbed headlines including Dennis Rodman, Mike Tyson and Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson (notorious for his comments: “I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we’re in here talking about practice. Not a game, we’re talking about practice. How silly is that?”).
Now is the time to move on and find something else to discuss. Phil Jackson will lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another championship before he retires. How’s that? Maybe now we can have something legitimate for this devoted Lakers fan to debate.

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