I Love T.O. (and I'm Not Ashamed to Admit It)

Throughout the last decade, there have been few athletes that have been as frequently criticized as Terrell Owens. He's been called arrogant, selfish, repellent, grating, and his effect in the locker room and the team's he has been on have been compared to that of cancer.

While I certainly do not disagree that Terrell Owens has a tendency to disrupt the chemistry of a football team, I have recently come to see him in a different way. While I was among the Terrell Owens haters, I focused on how Terrell threw his teammates under the bus, disrespected the game, and always seemed to be focused on himself. However, I learned to accept Terrell Owens for who he is.

Terrell Owens is an entertainer... It's that simple... He loves getting out on the football field and giving the audience a show. Think about how many outrageous things this guy has done throughout his career? Spiking the football on the star in Dallas? The press conference he held in his driveway, doing stomach crunches? The interview when he cried defending Tony Romo, declaring "HE'S MY QUARTERBACK!" Who was not entertained watching this man in these outrageous situations?

And it's not only that Terrell is willing to put himself in these situations, it's also the raw emotion that this man displays when in them. T.O. has an ability to demonstrate his feelings in his words and actions, which I can appreciate as a fan. I'm tired of watching athletes who display no emotion, and appear to not even care about losing a game. I enjoy the player who lets you know how he feels, and shares in the emotions with the fans instead of acting above it all.

I certainly am a fan of the humble, professional athlete who puts his head down and goes to work. The blue-collar type worker who comes in, does his job, and puts the team first. I will also agree that most players on a team need to have this attitude, and a team full of arrogant entertainers would include a lot of tension.

That being said, I watch sports to be entertained. I enjoy the guy who does outrageous things, and gets emotional with me. I don't know why everyone wants to watch a bunch of humble professionals treat the game like it's a job... that's boring... I enjoy the arrogant superstar, who puts on a flashy show and gets emotional following each play...

While the media and sportswriters continue their crusade against this man, I will ask the question, has he not entertained you? Has he not given you something to watch and write about? Why is everyone so quick and willing to villify this man? It's not like he's Brett Favre, who claims to be one way but is actually another. T.O. is very upfront about who he is. I actually happen to enjoy the way that he always says what he feels, and consistently puts himself in outrageous situations.

In fact, i'll just come out and say it... I love T.O. and i'm not afraid to admit it...