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"Like my boy tells me: If it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, by golly, it is a rat." - Terrell Owens, Playboy interview

This now infamous quote from T.O. has a whole new meaning to me. Clearly, Terrell is a player that brings his baggage and opinion to every place he goes. He is passionately loved by the fans in the cities when he plays there. Then hated as passionately when he is gone. He is critical of coaches, players, and anyone who will listen. He also gets results and wins.This places him at the forefront of the public eye. Terrell is watched with anticipation of his next great play and his next great melt down. How could it even be a question that someone so fascinating should not be allowed to play the game that he loves to play?

Terrell doesn't claim to be anything other than what he is. Teams that sign him know exactly what they are getting. They will get production and have to side step the off the field circus that follows. However, Terrell has never once violated any of the league substance abuse policies or conduct code. It seems more like it is the court of public opinion that wants to keep Terrell from playing. The cold hard facts are the NFL still wants him. He sells jerseys, he draws ratings, and he will get the league more attention than Tom Brady. The old saying is, "there is no such thing as bad publicity" and that fits this case.

Long after the Super Bowl is played this year we will be talking about what T.O. did in Buffalo this year. Do we really wonder what will happen? He is formulaic. His first year he is the good T.O. with great numbers and a team first mentality. It's the second season when the fireworks start. Buffalo figured this out and signed him to a one year deal. They know what the second year holds. They have watched Philadelphia and then Dallas suffer from his antics. They were not willing to make the same mistake as teams before them.

The bottom line is the NFL and it's teams know who and what Terrell Owens is. Frankly, I'm sure behind closed doors they love the attention he draws. If they didn't he wouldn't be the top story for them. They would hold him back from the public eye. If Terrell blows up on a teammate or coach they will make sure the cameras are there. He has not violated any league rules and he deserves to play. As long as teams need him he will play. I also bet that he will do something big and you will all be watching or talking about it. Somewhere the NFL is counting their money.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Knuth.
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