Terrell Owens: Have We Seen the Last of T.O. on the Football Field?

Have we seen the last of Terrell Owens on the football field? Give me a moment—the thought hurts. Why am I to get my popcorn ready if T.O. is not on the field?

I have been a fan of T.O. since the San Francisco days. Yes, I remember the 20-catch football game on the day that was supposed to be for Jerry Rice. For some reason that game didn't feel like Rice passed the torch, but more like T.O. took it.

As I look back, was that a good thing? On the one day when T.O. could have put a few balls on the turf, he decided to catch them all.

Do you remember when T.O. cried after his game-winning touchdown catch versus Green Bay? It felt like he dropped 20 balls that game. His emotions got the best of him, but it wasn't the first or the last time. "That’s my quarterback," T.O. said when speaking about Tony Romo in tears at a press conference—hilarious.

My favorite T.O. celebration is when he took the pom-poms from the cheerleader in the end zone; that was classic. The running to the star at midfield in Texas Stadium was the biggest slap in the face to a team, and I loved it. Wait, I’m a Cowboys fan, which is why I accepted him as my own.

I love the brash nature of T.O. and how he plays the game, but has he burnt all bridges to an NFL franchise?

"I Love Me Some Me"—yes, Toni Braxton sang that, but T.O. said it. Do you think the average 65-year-old white male NFL owner knows Toni Braxton? Well, she did perform in Las Vegas, but that's beside the point. The statement sounds selfish, which is the knock against T.O.

We have never heard about T.O. taking young receivers under his wing as a veteran leader of the team. Actually, I stand corrected: Freddie Mitchell with Philadelphia and Patrick Crayton with Dallas. Oh yeah, if you’re ever in Lakeland, Florida, stop by Mitchell's BBQ restaurant and order the rib dinner with a side of baked beans and collard greens. Tell him I sent you. I’ll just say he was moonlighting as an NFL receiver. I think Patrick Crayton can be found in California nowadays. Okay, let's forget I said that.

T.O. is not known for being the smartest player on the offense, such as Randy Moss, who has possibly burned his bridges also. Do you think T.O. would be willing to play in Turkey a la Allen Iverson next season?

Buffalo gave him a shot to be the leader of a young offense, and they lost 10 games. Cincinnati gave him a shot to be the difference maker on a contending team, and they lost 12 games. Now this isn't to say T.O. was the reason, but he has been a part of 22 losses over the past two seasons—ouch.

So what's left? Which contender could he help? Washington Redskins? Nope, he couldn't coexist with Mike Shanahan, even though Albert Haynesworth could use the break. Carolina Panthers? Nope, they tried with Keyshawn Johnson.

Baltimore Ravens? Nope, they have Anquan Boldin, and the mimic of Ray Lewis' ritual pregame dance bars him from being within 100 feet of Lewis. Miami Dolphins? Nope, Tony Sparano is a Bill Parcells disciple, and how could he sign if Parcells doesn’t know his name?

Kansas City Chiefs? Nope, Todd Haley is the head coach, and I think he is scared of T.O. New England Patriots? He would fit well within the offense, but could you imagine him doing the "Dougie" after he scored on a Bill Belichick-coached team? Just keep the camera on Bill.

So where does that leave T.O. next season? What team will gamble on a hard-working, entertaining, big game, selfish receiver for the 2011 NFL season? If no team, can we look forward to the Magic Johnson of the NFL broadcasting booth? What, have you watched the T.Ocho Show? Maybe the T.Ocho Show is where we will see T.O. next year or on VH1 with those two chicks.

At any rate, whether it is on the field, as a commentator or a bachelor in the streets of Los Angeles, I'm watching with my popcorn ready!