We Need A Time Out From T.O.

Part of you may feel sorry for someone who wastes their gifts through self-destructive behavior and it's frustrating to see them just throw it all away. It's never a good thing to watch someone battle their own personal demons - whether they are drugs, alcohol or even mental disorders. It's a constant battle for control and most of the time everyone loses. Such is the case in the Terrell Owens, better known as "T.O.", fiasco. The Philadelphia Eagles may have lost a talented wide receiver, Owens may of lost himself a career and his money hungry sports agent Drew Rosenhaus has defiantly lost some serious cash from all of this. However, there is much to be gained and lessons to be learned from this ordeal - lessons about business, relationships and life.

In case you haven't heard, let me fill you in on the T.O. fiasco. Here is a guy that needs to take a word of advice from Donald Trump and learn what the word "loyalty" means. "When employees and employers, even coworkers, have a commitment to one another, everyone benefits. I have people who have been in business with me for decades. I reward their loyalty to the organization and to me. I know that they'll always be dedicated to what we're trying to accomplish. The reason I have so many loyal people in the Trump Organization is that the loyalty is reciprocated. A lot of companies feel that dedication is a one-way street, but I think that's an easy way to lose good, talented people". - Donald Trump Did you get any of that T.O., is it sinking in? Bottom line, people will treat you how you treat them. As The Donald says, there is nothing worse than a disloyal person. Don't hire them and if they already work for you, get rid of them. They will only bring the company down - they are no good.

Pro football may be a sport, but it's also a business and needs to be treated as such. Yes, T.O. is a gifted athlete, there is no question about it. Owens has put up big numbers from day 1 and has continued to do so consistently throughout his career. However, he just can't seem to look beyond the "me, me, me" factor and for that reason alone, the world is getting tired of all his crying and complaining. Being the constant drama queen that he is, there is a point when you need to say enough is enough. People can only take so much of negative bullshit before they want you gone. The NFL tried to keep T.O. in check by fining him when he would publicly bash his coach and teammates (strike 1). Then they tried suspending him without pay and that didn't make him shut up (strike 2). So now Owens has been deactivated/fired/kicked off the team from the Philadelphia Eagles for the remainder of the season (strike 3, you're out). The solution is simple, when people take measures to keep you away, then they don't have to listen to you bitch because you aren't there to do any bitching. Get it? Ahh, yes I think T.O. may get it now.

I would have washed my hands of him last week too, just like Philadelphia did. I also would have no interest in signing him, just like most other NFL teams. Sympathy and compassion only goes so far in life. There is a point where you need to be responsible and be held accountable for your own actions - you reap what you sew. The next team that gambles on T.O. won't be driven by sympathy and compassion. Owens' remarkable production and physique will be the motivating force, along with the bargain-basement contract he'll have to accept. It's no one's fault but his own and perhaps his "slick" sports agent Drew Rosenhaus. If Owens thinks Rosenhaus had his best interest in all of this, well then he has been hit too many times in the head. If it wasn't for Drew Rosenhaus barking out the demands to "show me the money" like Jerry McGuire, then maybe T.O. would not find himself unemployed right now. One reporter summed it up well when he asked "What have you done for your client besides get him kicked off the Eagles?" Rosenhaus reply: "Next question."

T.O. had an attitude coming into the NFL and when the 49ers signed him as a rookie, they knew that. When the Eagles signed him, they knew it too. They were willing to overlook and deal with his circus act, but in the end they decided his talent wasn't worth the trouble. That is a shame for Philly and Owens. As you can see, Owens brought this on himself, but part of me still feels sorry for him. What a waste of talent.