Probably time to start working on that retirement speech now.
T.O. physically still can play in the NFL, his work ethic has never been in question, but teams just prefer younger quieter players they can mold.
Even though there are different variations why, it is the same reason Chad Johnson, Tim Tebow and Vince Young don’t have jobs in the NFL either. Teams just don’t want to deal with the circus. T.O. talked to CBS Sports Mike Freeman about his future plans.
“If I play this year, that’d be awesome,” Owens said in an interview with CBSSports.com. “If I don’t play this year, I’m retiring.”
“That’s just me being realistic,” he said. “I want to play again. I want to go out on top with a team. I think I can still play, but if I don’t sign with a team, it would be time to retire. I have to be honest with myself.”
“If you ask a lot of my former teammates,” Owens said, “and not just one or two, most will say I was a great teammate. That’s the truth.”
Owens isn’t lying, most former teammates will tell you he was a great teammate, but unfortunately once they brand you with the scarlet letter, there is nothing you can do.
A portion of that is Owens’ fault and the rest was the media who just never liked him to begin with. Freeman believes Owens is a Hall of Famer, I don’t think there is any question, but I think the media will make him wait a while, because they are biased and vindictive. Purely off the numbers it would be a non-brainer.
It is unfortunate T.O. won’t be able to go out on his own terms, but that is a rare occurrence for any player.