I don't have any empirical evidence, but anecdotally it seems that once you hit, say, 70 years old, telling the truth becomes almost instinctual. That sounds like a virtue -- and it usually is -- but it also means that much of what is filtered in our younger years isn't in old age. And, for the most part, I think that makes for a better world. Take Bills owner Ralph Wilson, for example. He's 90, recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and frank as hell about why he decided to go after Terrell Owens.
"I said, 'Sign him,' " Wilson told the Associated Press, recalling his conversation with Bills general manager Russ Brandon. "In Buffalo, we haven't had a national figure publicity-wise since (Jim) Kelly.... So I thought, 'If this guy's a bad guy, so what? If he's a bad guy we'll have to get rid of him. But if he's a good guy, hey, we're ahead of the game.' "
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If this had been anybody other owner, we would have been subjected to some form of, "T.O. is a great football player who has been misunderstood in this three previous NFL stops. We think he will be a great contributor to our franchise, we fully expect him to fit in and go about his business without upsetting our locker room. Most of what has been portrayed in the press was exaggerated."
Or some such silliness.
As for Wilson's contention, I think he's right. Not only does T.O. make the Bills relevant nationally again for the first time in 15 years, but if he works out, even better. (And history indicates that Owens will be great in Year 1, but after that, well, all bets are off.) In fact, so far, so good on that front.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
They signed T.O. to get a publicity wise player on their team...Laughing...if Buffalo loses too many games or you don't throw the ball to Terrell Owens enough times even though he may be double or tripled covered, you're sure going to get your publicity all you care to deal with and then some...especially the quarterback...
Good move - he is probably the best receiver in the league : Owens or Fitzgerald. He is a nice guy - is honest - and just speaks his mind. Otherwise everything else is exaggerated by outsider's, and if that's a distraction - then the player's are watching TV more than they are paying attention to one another.
Guess he's never heard of "be careful what you wish for"
Mr Wilson said.."If he works out, we're ahead of the game. If he doesn't,we'll have to get rid of him." It's a one year deal. What's to lose? If he's a distraction, you don't resign him. If he plays well and is a contributor, then you negotiate another one year deal. Like I asked before, what is there to lose?
I simply LOVE Terrell Owens. I'm in love with him. In the past, yes he was a bad boy, loud mouth, arrogant guy, but last year he changed. I defend him all the way with my friends, co-workers, even family. I would love to meet him. I hate to say, I'm not a Buffalo fan, but I will ALWAYS be a T.O. fan. No matter where he goes.