I’ve never met Terrell Owens even though I’m sure l would enjoy the experience. The fact that he was brash and considered by many as a nonconformist doesn’t bother me one bit. See, I just happen to be one of those who feels what a football player does on the field is what counts when you tabulate the votes for the accolades, and that certainly goes for his well deserved, and long overdue enshrinement to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After two years of snubbing him, those who vote on who gets into their little clique finally came to their senses and selected Owens as a member of this year’s class for induction. I guess a two-year delay which was nothing short of criminal was enough punishment for a guy who never did anything but his own way, so the powers that be went ahead and extended an invitation for Owens to sit at the table with them and give what could’ve been the greatest and most controversial induction speech in the history of the dog and pony show they conduct annually in Canton, Ohio.
I say what could’ve been, as Owens had a different plan. After having his ceremonial gold jacket shipped to him rather than picking it up at the aforementioned big party in Canton, he donned it in front of a smaller but appreciative group on campus at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he played his college football, and proceeded to thank everyone involved in his career and those who helped him along the way.
Sure, it was vintage “T.O.” and it was laced with emotion as well as the pomp and pageantry that we’ve all come to expect from Owens, but it also served as the ultimate shot across the bow towards the NFL — and the Hall of Fame — who refused to rightfully honor this incredible player as a first ballot inductee.
Along the way somewhere, the Hall of Fame apparently forgot about the 1,078 receptions, 153 touchdowns, and 15,934 receiving yards. Just a simple oversight I’m sure, as they were too busy focusing on the antics of one of the greatest ever. Sure, Owens was flamboyant, gregarious, and at times, downright full of himself, but the guy could play, and in some ways I think that in itself bothered the NFL more than anything. Can you imagine how coveted he would’ve been if he would of just “behaved” the way the NFL thought he should’ve? He would of been a media darling and made millions in endorsements, but Owens took a page from Frank Sinatra’s songbook, and bellowed out “My Way” from the first time he stepped on the field until the day he hung up his cleats. He never wavered and clearly had no interest in being like the rest of the guys playing professional football.
So it comes as no surprise that after Owens embarrassed the NFL by skipping their party in Canton in favor of his own in Chattanooga, that the Hall of Fame immediately started talking about changing the rules, and is considering that an incoming member must attend the induction ceremony to receive their day in the sun, or they won’t be allowed in to the good ol’ boys club. Yes, just as Owens forced opposing defensive coordinators to change things when they played against him, he’s now forcing the hand of the Hall of Fame, and that football fans, is beyond simple poetic justice. To save further embarrassment they’ll simply change the rules and move forward.
Look, you can call Owens whatever you want, but he was never suspended for drugs or alcohol, nor committed a domestic violence offense, and there are certainly more than just a few of those type currently in the Hall of Fame.
Yes, he was ordered to court for failure to pay timely child support, but it was later proven he was being exploited for an insane amount of money.
My point is, Owens was toyed with by the Hall of Fame selection committee because they didn’t like him. He didn’t fit their stuffy little description of what an inductee should be or how they should conduct themselves.
Keep in mind that in the two-year period that Owens was denied his rightful admission, Edward DeBartolo Jr., Bill Polian and Jerry Jones were all “enshrined” before him. Someone please explain that to me. I’m all ears and quite eager to understand. Keeping Owens down and then complaining about how he chose to not recognize the process, is clearly indicative of just how hypocritical these people are. While he wasn’t a bad guy, T.O. simply wasn’t one of them, and they were not about to give him his due right away. They simply waited two years to teach him a lesson, but it was Owens who would conduct the class in a manner that smacked them in the mouth, and brought what I consider to be much needed scrutiny of an induction process that’s both shameful and pathetic. In the end, they’ll proclaim victory and make it even harder for those they don’t want in to get there, but for now, Terrell Owens prevailed, and is exactly where he should be, even though many of the “experts” that delayed his admission still feel differently.
Congratulations, Mr. Owens, for a richly deserved honor. It took them two years to admit you were one of the greatest players who ever competed.
It only took you two seconds to decline their invite. Well played, young man.
Danny Bridges, who would take Terrell Owens in his prime over any receiver in the NFL today, can be reached at 317-370-8447, or at Bridgeshd@aol.com
