|
CALLING SIGNALS |
 |
|
FOR T.O. |
 Terrell Owens snags one in his Eagles uniform |
Showboater Owens has
the goods and the publicity
By BUCKY FOX
of TheColumnists.com
Here’s an easy quiz:
Which TV sportscaster ignored Terrell Owens the past week?
Which radio yacker shut up over T.O.?
Which writer diverted from an Owens angle?
If you answered "None" to all of the above, give yourself a touchdown. And go ahead and do an end zone celebration by flapping your arms and pulling a pen out of your socks for an autograph.
In other words, do a T.O.
In 2004, Owens flapped up and down the field for the Philadelphia Eagles. Not to mention creating a flap by yelling at his quarterback, Donovan McNabb. And insisting on playing in the Super Bowl despite a broken foot.
By the time his gutsy and great gig in the NFL title game was over, Owens was THE superstar wide receiver in football.
Then came the 2005 season. More whining about money. And bitching about McNabb. This time the Eagles said enough. They kicked him off the team last week.
T.O. simply proved to be too much of a pain.
Naturally, that infatuates us sports fans. We love loud, edgy athletes.
Do we tune in to hear all about Marvin Harrison, the meganumber receiver with the Indy Colts? No. Way too humble.
Give us the shouters, the muscle flexers. TV and radio know exactly what keeps us awake. That’s why they turn up the T.O. volume to the hilt.
It’s called entertainment, and T.O. plays on that stage with the all-time best.
Such as:
Muhammad Ali
Beyond the boxing ring, he produced top poetry. Rope a dope.
The Thrilla in Manila. His tongue stung like no one.
Jimmy Connors
Grabbing his crotch. Yelling “You’re an abortion”
at an umpire. He won big in tennis in jarring fashion.
Dennis Rodman
He could have remained a stellar rebounding forward. Yawn. Instead,
he turned into an alarming promoter. Dyed his hair blond before
anyone. Donned a wedding dress. Lucked out with Carmen Electra
and Madonna. Now even grandmas know about him.
Mike Tyson
Fights in the streets. Bites in the ring. Tattoo on the face
before that caught on. He’s admittedly crazy, but also like
a fox.
Joe Namath
His guarantee. His stockings. His book title: "I Can't Wait
Until Tomorrow ... 'Cause I Get Better-Looking Every Day."
He's still the only player in New York Jets history
their fans bow to.
All five were pure showmen. And champions.
Terrell Owens has the show. He has the talent. He even has the spark. Behind the smoke is a player with fire. If stiff athletes such as L.A.’s cold Kwame Brown played with T.O. heat, he would ignite the Lakers toward a title.
Now T.O. has to win. If he finds a team.
©2005 by Bucky Fox.
The illustration is an artist's impression of a news photo. This
column first posted Nov. 14, 2005.
You can visit Bucky Fox's website at www.BuckyFox.com
You
can comment on this column online. Please address your message
to either "The Editors" or Bucky Fox. To send an email,
click here: talkback@thecolumnists.com
|
|
|
Archives |
|
|