Buffalo Bills: Did They Sell Their NFL Soul?

I have always been a fan of the Bills. Not fanatical, but always with a healthy respect. 

But this signing of Terrell Owens has me wondering if Ralph Wilson has sold Buffalo's soul in order to get to the Super Bowl.

No one can contest the fact that T.O. is an incredible receiver and that you always have to include him when talking about best pass-catchers in the league.

But do his abilities on the field discount his off-field actions and recorded selfishness?

When he first came into the league with San Francisco, he was poised to take Jerry Rice's spot as the reigning premier wideout. Owens had some great years, but even early on, he was disruptive.

He started to make touchdown celebrations that were disrespectful of other teams.  

In a 1999 game against the Falcons, he caught a long touchdown pass and began his own rendition of the Falcons' “Dirty Bird” dance. The twist was that he mocked a slashing of his throat at the end of the dance.

His most famous touchdown celebration came against the Dallas Cowboys in 2000.  After catching a TD pass in Texas Stadium, he ran to the Dallas star and began to celebrate.  A rather ticked-off George Teague nailed him, and Owens was fined $24,000 and suspended one week.

Against the Seahawks, during a Monday Night Game, he pulled a Sharpie out of his sock and singed the football he'd caught for a score. He then gave it to his financial adviser in the stands.

In his two years with the Eagles, he imitated Ray Lewis’s pregame ritual, presented a football as a meal after scoring is 100th career touchdown, and did sit-ups after putting up six against the Bears.

With Dallas, he took a nap in the end zone (using the football as a pillow), mocked Bill Belichick (using the football as a video camera), and threw popcorn in his face when he scored against the Packers.

As for his locker room influence, it’s not any better:

Following the 2003 season, he opted for free agency. After cutting all ties with the 49ers, he insinuated that quarterback Jeff Garcia was gay.

With the Eagles, Owens stated if he could turn back the clock, he would not have signed with them. After getting beaten by Dallas, Owens wore a Michael Irvin throwback jersey and pretty much told the rabid Eagles fans he didn’t care what they thought about his wardrobe choices.

He fought with Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and called the Eagles organization “classless” for not giving him more recognition for his 100th career touchdown.

While with Dallas, it was reported that Owens attempted to kill himself by ingesting an overdose of hydrocodone, a strong pain medication.  Later, it was determined that he suffered an allergic reaction to the medication.

In a game against the Falcons in 2006, he spat in DeAngelo Hall’s face because of Hall’s trash talking.

And when Bill Parcells retired, he was asked what he learned from him. His reply was “Nothing, really.”

In his 14 seasons, Owens has been looked at as a disruptive mercenary, but also as someone who can get your team to the Super Bowl.

Of course, in those 14 seasons, he only took his team to the promised land once: in 2004, with the Eagles.

Will Terrell Owens get the Bills there? Possibly. They're a talented team, and perhaps Owens is going to be the missing ingredient. 

But in my opinion, I think the price they are going to have to pay is going to be too high. They would have been better off going after Torry Holt, who is capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, just like Owens, yet has no history of off-field antics, is well respected by his teammates, and would be a valuable, calming influence in the locker room and huddle.