Terrell Owens: Born-Again Cowboy

Originally posted at Star*Struck

I have always had a hard time picking out a favorite player on the Cowboys. I tend to be a “team” concept kind of guy. It’s all about the team not the individual. Terrell Owens, however, is different. I have to admit that T.O. has definitely become one of my favorite players.

To be honest though, it hasn’t always been this way. Like many other fans, when I heard T.O. was coming to Dallas, I couldn’t help but imagine all the ways this would screw up our team. I knew about his problems in the “City of Brotherly Love” and I couldn’t forgive him for his dance of Red and Gold upon our beloved Star at midfield. For me, the celebration on the Star was a desecration of Holy Ground – the unpardonable sin in Cowboyland. “You can write this guy off – Don’t like him. Never will,” I said to myself.

Then……..we bring him to Dallas. What the…….??????

I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t believe that a man who once stood on that Star and mocked it would now be wearing it. As the Bible would say, we had “unequally yoked ourselves together with an unbeliever.”

Training camp of 2006 brought on some drama. I knew the distraction had come. I knew I had been right all along. It passed however, and I continued to wait – all season. Despite some obvious discontent between Owens and the Big Tuna, everything went fine. I even began warming to T.O. – not yet a fan, but secretly starting to hope I could be a fan (although I wouldn’t admit it to anyone).

In 2007, somewhere along the way, I admit I realized that I love T.O. (Hopefully, you won’t take that the wrong way. I refuse to defend the idea of one man loving another here in this blog. Ain’t nothin wrong with it.) It’s not about his stats, which if you compare them to previous years, you can make a pretty decent case that his best year was 2007. It’s about his attitude. T.O. has become a real Cowboy. If I had any doubts about this, they were all completely swept away after the playoff loss to the Giants. Many wanted to play the blame game. Not T.O. “We lost as a team,” he said. It wasn’t about T.O., Romo, Jessica, Mexico……..It was, is, and always will be about the team. With that interview, T.O. solidified me as his lifelong fan without any doubt.

Is T.O.’s new attitude for real? He just said recently that he wants to finish his career in Dallas. Many have questioned this. Not me. I’m a believer.

Personally, I think T.O. was once an unbeliever – holding no respect for the silver and blue or the star under which we play, but like anyone can, he changed. The man who once was never happy with the teams he played for has now found his calling. His calling is to be a Cowboy. He was once discontent due to being surrounded by mediocrity and a lack of dedication. In Dallas, he has found a place where excellence and tradition come together – a place where dreams are made – a place where Championships are written in the Stars.

Yes, T.O. was once an unbeliever. Now he is a “born-again” Cowboy. His sins of the past are behind him now. He plays for America’s Team. The team that has a hole in the stadium roof so God can look down and watch His Boys play football. This ain’t the same T.O. He’s a new man, on a new team, headed for a new Lombardi.

Let me say it once more………….I LOVE T.O.

Just admit it – you love him too.

T.O. Late for N.O. - Still Wins MVP

Originally written Saturday, February 16, 2008
posted at www.lonestarstruck.com

The McDonald's NBA All Star Celebrity Game took place in New Orleans on Friday the 15th of February featuring Team New Orleans against Team Hornets. Yes, having two teams with one named New Orleans and the other named Hornets can get confusing, so I will try not to lose you.

Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys was slated to play for Team New Orleans in the game but had not arrived by tip off time. Another former Dallas Cowboy, Deion Sanders, was playing for Team Hornets.

The Hornets led the game most of the way and were spurred on by the play of Deion Sanders who scored 14 points and had 13 rebounds in the game.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, with Team Hornets leading by double digits, a familiar face appears on the sideline wearing the uniform of New Orleans. Getcha popcorn ready cause T.O. has just arrived. T.O. quickly makes an impact on the game but his team still trails the Hornets 28-23 at the half.

In the second half, New Orleans makes a game out of it by closing the gap to 50-49 in favor of the Hornets with 19.5 seconds to go. With that short time remaining, Floyd Mayweather (world welterweight champion) was sent to the foul line and hit both free throws to give New Orleans a lead of 51-50. No other points were scored in the final seconds of the game giving New Orleans the win.

Terrell Owens finished the game as the high scorer with 18 points, including one dunk, and 3 rebounds. Due to his efforts on the court he was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. Not bad for a guy who didn't show up until the middle of the second quarter. Don't ya just love him? Way to go T.O.

T.O. Writes to All the Fans and My Apology to Him

Originally written Thursday, January 17, 2008

Just in case you haven't seen it posted somewhere in another blog or on a bulletin, here's a letter T.O. posted on his official website at www.terrellowens.com.

TO ALL OF MY FANS:

With our loss to the Giants comes the end of a great ride for this season. We win and lose as a team, and I loved playing with this team. With 13 regular-season wins, which tied the franchise record, we won the NFC East title for the first time since 1998. We also had 12 Pro Bowlers, the most of any NFL team. That alone makes for a successful season.

It is an honor being part of the Dallas Cowboys organization, and I am committed to bringing a championship to Dallas and our great fans.

I want to thank all of you from across the country for your amazing support and encouragement during the season. I appreciated hearing your cheers and best wishes every week. It really meant a lot to me, and I am truly blessed to have you on my team.

After the Pro Bowl in February I'll continue to work with my Catch A Dream Foundation. I will also participate in other important activities on behalf of the community.

In the spring I'll begin my training for next season. I am going to do everything possible to get stronger and improve my game, and I'll be back, better than ever. Trust me on that.

Thanks again for all of your support.

Getcha popcorn ready.

Terrell Owens, 81
______________________________________________________________

My Personal Thoughts..........and My Apology

You know, I will be the first to admit that when Terrell came to Dallas, I really didn't expect much. I knew he was talented, but I just wasn't sure he was worth the "baggage" that would come along with him due to his reputation as a troublemaker. There was also the "incident" on The Star in Texas Stadium that I struggled to get over. I remained skeptical throughout the 2006 season, just waiting for things to reach a boiling point and for T.O. to do something that would prove me right.

Well, I was wrong. You should never judge someone based on one or two incidents and you certainly shouldn't judge them by what often gets reported in the media. Sometimes it takes a while to recognize character and this season the character and behavior I have seen from Mr. Owens (and I say Mr. out of respect) has made me believe that he has found a home.

I am sure he will never read this blog and I may never get the chance to say this to him in person, so I will do it here. Mr. Owens, I have misjudged you and I want to admit that I was wrong. For that I sincerely apologize. You are a True Cowboy. I am proud of the way you have worked with the Cowboys this year. I truly believe that, from your perspective, it's not all about you, but it's all about the Cowboys. With each passing week of this season, my affection for you has grown. With that final interview, after the loss to the Giants, where you defended your quarterback, and stated that "we lost as a team," you solidified my respect and affection. I love you man.

For those who have made fun of T.O. for crying in that interview, I say get a life. If you have never cried over falling short of a worthy cause, or seeing someone you love fail, then you are just too self-centered and egotistical to understand. Real men do cry. Real men realize that there are things in this life more important than their own self-image, egos, or personal goals.

Mr. Owens, again, I think you are a true Cowboy and you have found your home. Your home is with this team and in the hearts of fans like myself.

God bless you T.O.

Oh...........and one more thing T.O..............regarding next season..........

Getcha Popcorn Ready....................