An Open Letter to T.O.
Gary Cope, SkinsGridiron.com, July 22, 2005

Here's an open letter to Terrell Owens. Actually, it's more like 20 letters: Shut the hell up and just play football.

As you may have heard, Philadelphia Eagles All Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens has said publicly that he's not playing another down for the Eagles until they renegotiate his contract. Let's be clear about something, he willingly signed his current contract this time last year after refusing a trade from the 49ers to the Ravens. So, it's not like someone put a gun to his head and made him sign the contract.

But now he says he wants and is entitled to more money. Well Mr. Owens, you're entitled to crap. You play football for a living. You play a boy's game for more money in one season than a middle class family will see in a lifetime. And more importantly, you willingly and knowingly signed a contract.

If you choose not to play, that's fine. You can sit your greedy ass in the stands until you're too old to play. In fact, if I were the owner of the Eagles, I'd make you sit out the rest of your contract, however long that is. I wouldn't trade you and I wouldn't cut you. I'd keep you on the team and fine you for every time you missed a training camp, practice or game. And I wouldn't pay you a freakin' dime until you honored the contract you signed.

I'd also fine you every time you utter the words "new contract." I'd fine you every time you do an interview telling everyone how you deserve to be treated fairly. And I'd fine you every time you claim you're just trying to take care of your family.

The Eagles don't need you T.O. They got to the big game without you and when you did play, they still lost.

So, my advice to you is, have a seat, shut your mouth and get DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket, because that's as close to the action this season as you deserve.