Rev. Jesse Jackson is at it again. He’s protesting something else. But this time, he’s protesting the suspension of Terrell Owens from the Philadelphia Eagles. According to http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com, Jackson said Owens suspension was “much too severe.” But it wasn’t.
T.O. is a public figure. Despite how much he may not want to be, he is a public figure, as well as a privileged athlete. It is a privilege to play football. No matter how good or bad one is; the best don’t always get picked. When T.O. publicly complained about his contract and the Philadelphia Eagles organization, he hurt himself.
“Never bite the hand that feeds you,” as the old saying goes. T.O. did a little more than bite the hand though; he chewed, swallowed and then regurgitated it. What T.O. said, was a slap in the face, to the employers who let him play for their organization, as well as, the teammates he sees daily. T.O. was flat out rude.
Never turn against the family. Discuss whatever existing problems in house, not with company. T.O. turned against family.
Therefore, his punishment should be severe. Jackson’s interference with the Eagles decision is unnecessary. And because Jackson has interfered, former Vice Presidential candidate and consumer activist Ralph Nader has as well. Nader has called for the suspension to be overturned. The political interference is so not needed. Especially when the organization gave T.O. time to publicly apologize. Get a life.
T.O. only apologized after he put his cockiness aside to see how serious the organization was. It’s like a child pleading his mom to not take away his toys after she’s already warned him. His suspension was his own fault.
He was suspended last week after he said the Eagles displayed a lack of class for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch and the team would be better off with Green Bay’s Brett Favre as the quarterback. The catch was good, no doubt, but T.O. shot down too many people. Keep your problems in house.
Maybe, he’s learned from his cockiness. Hopefully others have as well.
Robyn K. Mizelle for the Editorial Board.