A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Philadephia Eagles' decision to part company with the talented, but highly self-centered, Terrell Owens. Since that time, sports fans and culture-watchers alike have awaited the NFL abritrator's decision on Owens' appeal. Support Owens and the message would be: "Hey, the guy's a jerk, but he's entitled to make a living if somebody else wants to put up with his nonsense." Support the Eagles: "You signed a contract and your behavior was so far out of line that, while we will pay you every dime we own you this year, we never want to see you in our uniform, ever again."
And, the envelope please, the verdict is...
"The club has shouldered its burden of proof of clear and convincing evidence of player misconduct in that the four-week suspension was for just cause," Bloch said in his 38-page ruling that totally absolved the Eagles. "Additionally, there was no inherent violation of the labor agreement in the club's decision to pay Owens but not practice or play him due to the nature of the player's conduct."
Just cause. No inherent violation. T.O., out for the rest of the year.
What does it mean?
Who knows. But I know this. This is a guy who signed a $49 million contract for seven years, was encouraged by his idiotic agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to agitate for more, alienated anyone with an IQ above 90 over the last 10 months, and now has reduced his market value by approximately 50%.
Every so often, something happens that just makes sense. This is one of those times.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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