Backstory: On Monday Night Football (I watch way too much football) this week, Terrell Owens, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49'ers (and no, no link, I hate the 49'ers) scored a touchdown, pulled a Sharpie out of his sock, signed the football and gave it to some guy in the crowd behind the end zone. When it happened, I didn't think much of it, I mean this is the guy who scored a touchdown against Dallas in Texas Stadium, ran to the star on the 50 and spiked the ball. (For the non-football readers, this is the equilivant of urinating on an altar in a church.)
I didn't see the football autographing as a big deal. Maybe the timing was a little off. I heard a sportsguy on the radio the other day say he has seen Kurt Warner sign footballs on the sidelines, so I don't think what Terrell Owens did was that out of the ordinary.
A lot of people disagree with me. And I was ready to defend Terrell today, until I saw this.
Some choice quotes:
Terrell Owens, fined $5,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for an untucked shirttail but not cited for his touchdown/autograph celebration Monday in Seattle, is implying that race is a factor in how his actions are perceived.
"You have a white guy as an announcer and sportscaster," Owens was quoted as saying in the San Francisco Examiner. "Me, I'm black. I do it and I've already done some stuff in the past . . .
Owens told the paper that the public misinterprets the actions of African-American athletes. He told the Examiner he's "shocked" at the nationwide reaction and contends that what he did was "harmless." . . .
Owens told the Examiner that some fans and media members are overreacting.
"I see my work like Picasso," Owens said. "He signed off on his work. I signed off on my work. I work hard during the week. ''m just trying to have fun.
"You only have one day to display your talents."
Ignoring for a moment the ridiculous insertion of race into the discussion, PICASSO? Holy Freakin' Cow, Terrell needs to get grip. Ground Control to Major Owens . . .
I love football, watch close to 10-15 games a weekend, but it's a GAME. I think the NFL cracks down too much on celebrations and since they couldn't find a rule that Terrell violated by whipping out the Sharpie, they fined him for having his shirt un-tucked. (Groan). But, still . . .
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