T.O.- Give Him Credit, not a Hard Time

Terrell Owens, the football player commonly known as T.O., is not going to Buffalo for voluntary workouts. (Follow this link for details.) Folks everywhere are complaining that he it's "Just T.O. being T.O" "T.O. not being a team player." Well, I'm comfortable on the T.O. Bashing Bandwagon, but just a minute here. There's a detail in the story that has been underemphasized:

Owens, who was in Washington on Wednesday night to receive an award from the Alzheimer's Association, said he has reached out to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and that he's anxious to build a good relationship. "We talked shortly after I signed and we exchanged text messages," Owens said. "We're looking forward to the upcoming season."

and later in the same article from ESPN.com

The Alzheimer's Association honored Owens for raising awareness about the fight against the disease, which affects his grandmother, Alice Black, who raised him. On Wednesday, Owens credited his grandmother for the way he plays the game.

"My grandmother has been very, very instrumental in where I am as a person and my determination on the football field," Owens said.

People get on Mr. Owens (yeah, for once I will call him "Mister") for being selfish and a distraction, and this is often true. But this time he should be recognized for his charity work, not his fiery persona. If one of the NFL's golden boys had missed voluntary workouts for a charity function, nothing would be made of it. It's a shame Mr. Owens can't get the credit he deserves when he deserves it.