Storyline: Dan Fouts exchanges facts for personal preferences. Terrell Owens ranks high in multiple all-time receiving categories. He deserves to be in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Courtesy: Pro Football Talk
I literally jumped at the chance to rake Dan Fouts over the coals after watching his interview on ESPN and hearing his comments about Terrell Owens.
I would agree with Fouts if the circumstances were different. But they are not. When an athlete sabotages himself on the field/on the court he deserves what usually follows–negative press, unwanted comments, even heckling from fans.
I say that because I’ve always been a firm believer that professional athletes earn millions of dollars to PLAY for a living. If they don’t perform or engage in bad behavior, then they are open targets for criticism.
So I absolutely agree with the way some athletes are treated, athletes like Michael Vick, O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernandez, Rae Carruth, and others. They deserve harsh criticism for behaviors that are tasteless, thoughtless, and (in some cases) downright evil.
But when an athlete pushes the envelope and performs at a high level–and does so on a consistent basis–he or she should be judged by those criteria and those criteria alone. And that’s where I believe Fouts got it wrong about Owens. Fouts believes that Terrell Owens’ big mouth, teammates’ disdain, and on-field antics are legitimate reasons for him being excluded from the HOF.
Hogwash. That’s just ridiculous!
Courtesy: Ballertainment
During his controversial, yet illustrious career, Owens’ on-field performance was nothing short of spectacular. Besides, Owens was never suspended by the NFL for drugs (PEDs or other substances) and was never accused of doing anything illegal. Owens was never been arrested or charged with a crime.
But wait! Those statements don’t apply to other NFL HOF members Lawrence Taylor, Cris Carter, and Michael Irvin. They all have tainted careers due to off-field behaviors. For example, Lawrence Taylor’s drug abuse and multiple suspensions for failed drug tests are public knowledge.
And get this: Owens’ career numbers in receptions eclipse both Irvin’s and Carter’s numbers. But Fouts seems to think that playing for five teams disqualifies T.O. from Hall of Fame election. He said “I think his numbers are worthy, but again on the other side of it. his actions on and off the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room and the fact he played for so many teams. I didn’t understand a lot of things he did in his career.”
Courtesy: The Viking Age
Fouts and other voters need to focus on what T.O. did on the field. But, instead, Fouts launched a PERSONAL attack against Owens.
In doing that Fouts bypasses facts. Owens ranks ranks second all-time in receiving yards, third all-time in career receiving touchdowns, and eighth all-time in career receptions. But Fouts doesn’t seem to value any of that.
Here’s my response, Mr. Fouts: Focus on the business of football, what Owens did on the field. Keep personal feelings out of it.
