Is TO is Famous or Infamous? Does It Really Matter?
The Terrell Owens saga reached a new level this week. Rumors that he attempted suicide by overdosing on painkillers spread in every major media channel and throughout the blogosophere. Owens had been a daily source of news for ESPN for several years now, but this event catapulted him and his baggage onto a national stage.
The story itself, if not compelling, is certainly attention-getting. A multi-millionaire professional athlete, who is on the surface perhaps the most egotistical and confident player in the NFL, is exposed as being vulnerable and even insecure. It was another chapter of controversy in Owens's career, which seemingly every sports media outlet took the opportunity to recap after the event first occurred.
Whether they love him or hate him, people at the very least pay attention to Owens. Why? He is sports' very own tabloid newsmaker. Like Tom Cruise, Anna Nicole Smith, Kate Moss, Michael Jackson, and others that flood the celebrity worshiping channels, TO has the storylines and the willingness to attract attention to himself even when the games aren't being played. He is a form of branded entertainment, promising his fans unpredictable, often outrageous behavior every day of the year. The initials "TO" represent much more than a person; they serve as the brand name for a daily soap opera star that just so happens to play football.
TO has become the symbol for what's right and wrong with professional sports. Owens is highly talented and arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, but he is infamous for complaining about his salary, feuding with teammates and coaches, and showboating on and off the field.
Despite his mixed brand image, his controversial persona differentiates him from most football players, and while many fans may be turned off by his actions, the attention factor is undeniable. The NFL benefits from TO not only because he fills valuable media time between games and between seasons, but he also is their star-crossed, headline performer that fills seats and attracts eyeballs no matter if he plays or not. Will there ever be too much TO? Only if the storylines fail to remain fresh.
