The big news around the D-FW Metromess and likely within the sports world today is the overnight hospitalization of Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens. Early reports indicated doctors at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas were trying to induce vomiting. Then, the Cowboys Web site says he was suffering from a reaction to pain medication for his injured hand.
However, the Associated Press and The Dallas Morning News has reported that Dallas police reports indicate Owens tried to kill himself after being depressed.
Because Owens is such a big star and has sometimes come off as a prima donna is the reason we are hearing such details to begin with. Most media don’t report attempted suicides or even suicides unless it is a prominent person or an unusual circumstance in which the act takes place such as in public. Owens is a butt to some, an example of a typical young professional athlete with lots of money and little common sense.
But whatever his behavior, the rabid pack known as Cowboy fans seemed fine with his arrival to the team this season That is regardless of his antics such as running to the mid-field star in Texas Stadium after he made a touchdown while playing for San Francisco. And just maybe there is more to T.O. than comes through after his goofy antics. Nonetheless, all of his behavior seems like a small matter if it is true that Owens tried to kill himself after suffering from a depressive episode.
The unknowing might easily say: “What’s so bad about T.O.’s life that he would try to kill himself? He’s one of the best receivers ever. He’s got more money than a horse has hair. Blah. Blah. Blah. Yadda Yadda.”
If indeed Owens tried suicide or even made an attempt and suffers from depression, how much money he has in the bank or what kind of cars he drives is irrelevant. I am 50 years old and I began having depressive episodes only five years ago. While medicine usually takes care of that problem (I still have to deal with chronic pain), I still get episodes from time-to-time and I can tell you this: I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t drive a fancy car. And even if I was still able to play football, I wouldn’t make a wart on the ass of a professional, college or probably high school, junior high or flag football player.
Owens has an uphill battle ahead because of who he is. Fans are fickle as is fame. His people and the Cowboys seem to want to play down any notion that he may suffer from emotional problems even if he does. I guess that’s understandable. T.O. is an investment to the bidness side of playing ball.
But when it comes down to reality where being a star means being a star among your friends, the complex issue of trying to live as a real person and not some fictional character means all kinds of hurt and struggles will take place. And you deal with it. Or you don’t.
I wish the best for T.O. He needs all the good wishes he can get.