What's Up With That?: Volume One

This article will be the first installment in a series that briefly explores controversial stories in sports.

I hope everyone enjoys them, and I look forward to anyone’s input on the topics I bring up.

Now, let’s get to today’s two "What’s Up With That?" topics.


Charles Barkley gets special treatment

As many likely know, Charles Barkley, a former NBA All-Star power forward, known to his many fans as the “Round Mound of Rebound,” was arrested on Dec. 31 of last year on misdemeanor DUI charges in Arizona.

Barkley is said to have just left a Scottsdale nightclub when he failed to stop at a stop sign while making a right turn. Police pulled the jovial former Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns star over, and when he failed a field sobriety test, with a blood-alcohol level of .14 (which is nearly twice the legal limit), he was arrested.

He pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges last month and was initially sentenced to 10 days in jail. This was later reduced to a three-day sentence when Barkley agreed to attend an alcohol treatment program.

Over the weekend, starting Saturday, the former perennial NBA All-Star began serving that sentence. However, one thing that some found a bit disturbing was that Barkley wasn’t required to serve his sentence in the same way any other citizen would be.

Instead, Barkley was kept in a separate tent, away from other prisoners, and was allowed out of jail between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

He was also not required to wear the controversial "pink" underwear that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio routinely forces all of those imprisoned in his jail to wear. Instead, he was allowed to wear a Nike jumpsuit as he sat and read two books over the weekend—one on President Barack Obama and the other a text on how to speak Spanish.

Arpaio stated that Barkley had been acting like a “model inmate” during his time there, chatting with other prisoners, signing autographs, and basically behaving himself.

“I didn’t have to put him in the tents," he said, when questioned about the special treatment the former NBA star received. "I could have put him in a cell all by himself—that would be special. He’s just lucky it’s not summer. It’s 130 degrees in the summer.”

I’m wondering though, Joe. Would you really not have given Barkley an air-conditioned cell to sit in overnight if the sentence was carried out during the summer? I doubt it.

I’m a fan of Barkley’s. Although I think he’s a buffoon on TV, his play in the NBA was something to behold. Yet, I just have a problem with all this.

While some may see nothing wrong with Barkley getting such special treatment, saying to themselves he is not your average citizen but a celebrity, I am of the opinion that there should be no difference when it comes to the law.

I know that Barkley is a star. However, just because he’s a former professional athlete and a star analyst for TNT doesn’t mean he’s above the law.

While there’s nothing really to be done about it, I would still ask Arpaio this about the special treatment Barkley received:

What’s up with that?

Buffalo Bills sign controversial WR Terrell Owens

In a move that resoundingly stunned the football world and many NFL fans, the Buffalo Bills signed the contentious All-Pro wideout (formerly with the Dallas Cowboys) Terrell Owens to a one-year, $6.5 million contract over the weekend.

Former Bills head coach Marv Levy was one of many flabbergasted by the signing.

The Hall of Fame coach wondered if his friend was pulling his leg or may have been drinking too much when first questioned about the signing after getting off a plane in Chicago.

“I was surprised, naturally, like everyone else," he said. "I verified it a little bit later that it was true, and that my friend hadn’t been drinking.”

Another former Bill, Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas, also voiced surprise.

"Wow, I said it at the end of last year that the Bills have to make a big splash," he said. "This is a bigger splash than I thought the Bills organization would ever make."

Owens himself tried to placate Bills fans who may feel the signing of the controversial receiver was a huge mistake by their beloved franchise.

“This may not be the most ideal place for a lot of people, but I’m the guy," he said. "I beat to my own beat sometimes, my own thinking, my own intuition. For me, this is an opportunity. It’s an interesting situation.”

I’m not sure Bills fans will find those words satisfactory in quelling their fears that T.O. will be a cancer to their team, the way he has with others. However, only time will tell if Dick Jauron will be able to contain Owens' destructive nature and get the most out of his team’s most recent addition.

His fate may hang in the balance on this one, though, as the Bills haven’t made the playoffs in nine years, and are coming off three consecutive 7-9 finishes under Jauron. Many believe this move by the Bills might have been folly.

I’m sure many in the Bills' front office hope this move will attract more fans and drive up ticket sales, evidenced by the text message the franchise sent their fans shortly after the signing, which announced that the ticket office would be open Sunday morning.

“I think it’s a great move," Thomas said. "I always said they needed more playmakers out there, and he’s definitely one.”

Marv Levy, while surprised by the signing, also expressed hopes that the move would help his floundering former team.

“He can be a headache sometimes, but I just think that comes with him being competitive," he said. "Nobody’s ever questioned his work ethic. And I tell you what; he definitely will be motivated because I think he knows this might be his last go-around at it. Everybody knows about him. I remain an avid Bills fan and supporter. I hope it works out.”

We’ll see, but I only have one thing to say about the Bills signing T.O.

What’s up with that?

Well, I hope you’ve liked this initial installment in this series. I look forward to writing many more in the future. If I’m lucky, they’ll be written well enough to garner your support. You also may want to check out my spoof on the Miami Dolphins signing Owens. You can read it here Miami Dolphins Land Big Fish.