okay, since I seem to be the last person on the planet who sides with TO, im gonna make my case here.
- NFL teams have all the power, they can as players to take less money and if the plkayer refuses, the team can cut him without paying him a dime. So why cant a player ask to get more money when he clearly deserves it? He is easily one of the top 3 recievers in the league and isnt paid within the top 10. That is not right, it is not fair market value and every player deserves fair market value.
- He didn't hold out, he came to camp on time and participated in drills until he got injured. Other players like Hines Ward and Antonia Gates are holding out yet people seem to side with them, while they criticize TO for even threatening a hold-out. There is no other word for that behavior then hypocrasy. He is being treated unfairly by the media and that is greatly swaying public opinion to make him seem like the spawn of satan himself. I mean if anybody has seen NFL Live at all, Trey Wingo and those fools (who i have never liked) are calling for the mans head and only seeing the negative in everything he does.
- I also believe everything he says about what is going on. I believe that Andy Reid told TO to shutup during a conversation, clearly showing disrespect. Now I am sure you are wondering, "why do you believe TO?" Well, he is not known as a liar and while he says some things he shouldn't, everything he has ever said has been true in his career, he has no reason to lie either, while the eagles have all sorts of reasons including trying to make Terrell seem like the bad guy in all of this. Also, he agrees with the things that the eagles have complained about (i.e. telling his offensive coordinator not to talk to him unless TO adresses him first, which was meant in all non-professional manners, and in all professional manners TO says he is willing to and has listen to Childress and what he has to say)
- As far as him working out by himself, he was authorized to do that as a rehab assignment to test his groin and it was not done as a selfish manuever. And for the autograph thing (which really isnt a big deal anyways), i heard once (but not since so who knows how true it is) that he was rehabbing trying to get better so he can rejoin the team in a more timely fashion.
- And those who say he is a selfish player who doesnt care about the team... what about his performance in the Super Bowl? Risking his career to try and help the team win. He did it against the advice of every single doctor and played brilliantly, superbly, magnificiantly. also, according to him (which I 100% believe), the eagles made him sign a secret form removing the eagles of any liability if he got injured further in the super bowl. If he had gotten injured the eagles would have no obligations towards him and could easily cut him, owing him no money or anything else. Selfish?? that is one of the least selfish things I can remember seeing in professional sports.
In conclusion, Terrell Owens is 100% right and deserves his money... pay him