The story of Owens being a maniacal malcontent appears to be another example of perception overriding reality, of how we often allow perception to be the reality. Clearly Owens is no angel, nevertheless he possesses endearing qualities that are genuine and kind-hearted.
Since being drafted in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers in 1996 Owens has turned himself into a perennial All Star with numbers only exceeded by his idol Jerry Rice. But even more impressive is his ability to withstand the barrage of criticism that comes with stardom.
EBM: You have a reality show (T.O. Show) that is doing surprisingly well considering the criticism it received. Was that an attempt by your handlers to soften your image?
Terrell Owens: Not at all! This was all me and unscripted; in fact I was advised not to do the show, but the opportunity presented itself and it was fun.
EBM: Overall, it did show a different side of you, almost a softer side. Like when one of your friends got married and you covered the cost of the wedding, many people wouldn’t expect that of you. Often you’re mislabeled as being selfish and egotistical. How did that come about?
Terrell Owens: It’s the nature of the business; in entertainment you gotta have a bad guy and for whatever reason I’m him, which is OK because I’m comfortable with who I am. And perhaps I haven’t always been that way but I’ve grown into my skin, I guess you can say.
EBM: So you didn’t have anything to do with how the media portrays you?
Terrell Owen: To some degree! I mean I’m passionate about what I do. I’ve worked my ass off to get me to this level and on that road I may have been overly vocal about my desires to win, and there have probably been times where I could have said some things differently, but is it any different than Bill Parcells telling a player to sit down and shut up or Jerry Jones walking the side line of a close game.
It’s just that players aren’t expected to have an opinion. Our job is to play and be quiet. And I’m just not built that way, but I’m learning how to adjust.
EBM: Speaking of Jerry Jones, it appeared as if you were really disappointed in the way you were treated in Dallas by the owner (Jerry Jones). Did you think you were going to retire in Dallas?
Terrell Owens: I did! And sometimes it’s tough to think of everything in terms of business but in this game you have to. And not to say that Jerry isn’t a good guy, because he is, and for the most part a fair man, but I trusted Jerry and took him at his word when he told me I was a major part of Dallas’ future and that just wasn’t the case.
And for a moment I was hurt, but again you have to remind yourself that it is a business and we as athletics are merely commodities, and all of the hugs and kisses that go along with that are only good as long as you’re of value to them.
EBM: So you don’t think it had anything to do with your broken relationship with the franchise player (Tony Romo?)
Terrell Owens: Absolutely not! That was something that the media made up. Tony and I are good and I would go as far as to say we were friends. Their decision to let me go was a business decision and nothing else. And it’s unfair to make it about me and Tony because it simply wasn’t.
It was strictly a business decision made by Mr. Jones, and I fault myself for thinking that it was anything else.
EBM: You were one of the few athletics to speak out on behalf of Michael Vick and to some degree challenging the commissioner. What made you do so?
Terrell Owens: It had very little to do with the Commissioner and more about fairness. For the most part, the Commissioner has done a decent job but it was a situation of right and wrong. The man (Vick) was found guilty in the court of law and given an unusual lengthy sentence and the league wanted to further penalize him, it just seemed excessive, therefore I voiced my opinion.
EBM: Do you think because you said it, people had a problem with the message?
Terrell Owens: Maybe, but that wasn’t my intention. I was simply voicing my concern. Michael and I aren’t necessarily the best of friends but the issue came up and I addressed it. It could have been anyone in the league and I think I would have felt the same way.
EBM: I guess what I’m getting at is do you ever think your larger than life persona interferes with how you’re received, albeit good or bad?
Terrell Owens: I’m not sure, but indeed there are two people rolled up in one body. When I’m putting on that (football) uniform I’m T.O. and in some ways I’m turning into a different person and you almost have to in order to play in the NFL. And to do it successfully I adopted this character who is ultra intense, but I think if you ask my friends and family they’ll say I’m just a quiet country boy.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy T.O’s brashness but you would be foolish to think that’s me all the time. And like I said that personality was created out of necessity; if you aren’t able to play at a very high level, every game in the NFL... I assure you, you won’t last. The players in the NFL are some of the fastest, strongest men in the world and if you can’t match their confidence then you’re done. And T.O. can get at the best of them.
EBM: There’s a lot of talk about labor disputes and the misappropriation of shared revenue and so forth. How do you feel about the NFL agreements?
Terrell Owens: Well, I think something has to give. When you compare our contracts to other major sports contracts they just don’t add up, especially considering what we put our bodies through. On the other hand I think the player’s union appears to be taking a deeper look into this very issue and hopefully it’ll be resolved. It probably won’t benefit me because of where I’m at in my career but it’s very important for those coming behind me and they should take notice.
EBM: What’s next for Terrell after football? You’ve been such an enormous presence on the field. How do you fill that void off the field?
Terrell Owens: Quietly, whatever I decide to do after football will be done quietly.
EBM: But still in front of the camera?
Terrell Owens: I’m not sure and as of right now my goal is to get the Bills in contention. After that, we’ll have to see.
EBM: Thank you for your time.
Terrell Owens: My pleasure.
