Terrell Owens rushed to hospital for suicide attempt

[Packer Backer]

Damn... I knew he had problems, but isn't this a little extreme?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2604395

[D.C.]

Everybody who knows me well knows how much I dislike T.O. (even before joining the Eagles I wasn't his biggest fan), but upon hearing/reading this I sincerely feel for the guy and hope he can turn a corner and things get better for him. I seriously doubt that I can be as negative towards him knowing that he's felt the need to go through this.

All the best T.O..

[racosun]

In TO's defense, he's now saying he didn't understand the question when they asked him if he was trying to hurt himself. He obviously OD'd on pain medication, but now he is saying that it was a mixture of the pain meds and some supplements he was taking at the same time. Reports so far had him taking up to 30 pain pills, which seems pretty high for someone with a broken finger, but let me tell you, if I were trying to do myself in, I know it would probably take way more than that to do the job.

Of course, this could just be publicity spin by his camp. Perhaps he was trying to commit suicide. The first thing I thought was: why? He's got it all. A boatload of money, national attention whenever he wants it, and a fairly decent team that he can have a tremendous impact on. All that, plus the Eagles game is coming up soon. No matter what happens from this point on, nobody will look at the dude the same way again. Standing in the harsh heat of the media for many years now, he seemed so strong, regardless of his arrogance. If he did try to off himself, what now? Is he going to take a few weeks off? Maybe the rest of the season? Retire? If he continues to play, will he be entered into the league's substance abuse program? Can he handle the heat that's about to come at him as soon as he steps back in front of a microphone? So many questions. What a bizarre incident!

[CCN]

In TO's defense, he's now saying he didn't understand the question when they asked him if he was trying to hurt himself. He obviously OD'd on pain medication, but now he is saying that it was a mixture of the pain meds and some supplements he was taking at the same time. Reports so far had him taking up to 30 pain pills, which seems pretty high for someone with a broken finger, but let me tell you, if I were trying to do myself in, I know it would probably take way more than that to do the job.

Of course, this could just be publicity spin by his camp. Perhaps he was trying to commit suicide. The first thing I thought was: why? He's got it all. A boatload of money, national attention whenever he wants it, and a fairly decent team that he can have a tremendous impact on. All that, plus the Eagles game is coming up soon. No matter what happens from this point on, nobody will look at the dude the same way again. Standing in the harsh heat of the media for many years now, he seemed so strong, regardless of his arrogance. If he did try to off himself, what now? Is he going to take a few weeks off? Maybe the rest of the season? Retire? If he continues to play, will he be entered into the league's substance abuse program? Can he handle the heat that's about to come at him as soon as he steps back in front of a microphone? So many questions. What a bizarre incident!
Two words, raco. Kurt Cobain.

There are times it seems like this guy can do nothing right, no mater what he does. Outside of Barry Bonds or maybe Ron Artest, Owens may indeed be the most-maligned athlete in the country. And there are plenty who have been just as bad and worse. Last time I checked, and I could very well be wrong, but Owens hasn't committed any felonies or serious misdemeanors. He's just a prima donna in a world where prima donnas are scoffed at. If he were an actor, Pat O'Brien and that ill ilk would be treating him like a king.

[brady_branch]

Except everybody liked Kurt Cobain. Except the parents of everybody. :D I know very few (read: one) people who like T.O.

[ATLFalcons]

I believe these media reports have been quite far-fetched. T.O. loves T.O. more than anybody else does. Why would he try to kill himself?

[brady_branch]

Maybe it was all an act, and he knew everyone hated him, and he didn't like all the negative publicity he was getting... I don't know.

[football junkie]

Terrell Owens has been the national sports media's whipping boy for years now -- and unfairly. He's an easy target and he polarizes people's opinions, which are both good things for the nitwits and morons who run sports talk radio and or write breath-takingly stupid sports columns.

To my knowledge Owens has never broken the law. Owens has never been even accused of using drugs, illicit or performance enhancing. Owens is a clean player, meaning he doesn't go out on the field purposely gunning for other players.

When Owens is on the field he gives it all. Remember a few years back when he shined in the Superbowl after fracturing his leg just a few weeks earlier? Owens always steps up and makes big plays. Owens is one of the greatest wide outs to ever put on a uniform.

And contrary to popular belief, Owens WAS NOT the reason the Eagles imploded in 2005. Owens wasn't the reason McNabb and Westbrook were injured. Owens didn't appoint Mike McMahon to be McNabbs' replacement and then stupidly run an offense that passed the ball 73% of all offensive plays -- that was Andy Reid. Owens wasn't responsible for David Ackers converting only 72% of his field goal attempts last year (which in case you don't know is awful). Owens wasn't responsible for the Eagles defense giving up 388 points, by far the most of any team in the NFC East. Owens wasn't responsible for the Eagles garnering a meager 29 sacks all of last year. Owens wasn't responsible for Jevon Kearse having, up to that point, the worst year of his career. Owens wasn't responsible for Andy Reids' refusals to draft or acquire a power running back. Instead Reid likes to collect skat backs like Moats, Mahe and Westbrook -- who have to try running sideline to sideline because they can't run between the tackles.

The failure of the Eagles in 2005 should be placed squarely on the shoulders of Andy Reid.

What is the worst thing that Owens has done? Argued with a teammate? That goes on constantly on NFL sidelines (anybody who ever played football knows what a sideline is like). Celebrating after a touchdown? That's been going on since before Owens was even born! (And I don't think celebrating after a touchdown in the NFL is unsportsmanlike conduct. We're not dealing with little kids who are going to get their feelings hurt. In my opinion the real practitoners of unsportsmanlike conduct are players like Roy Williams of the Cowboys, who is known league-wide for his dirty hits and blatant attempts to seriously injure other players).

The whole Terrell Owens saga is nothing more than yellow journalism, an attempt to create a scandal to increase interest and sell more newspapers, get more Web site hits, get higher radio and TV ratings. To me I find it sickening. It's a demonstration of the American media at its very worst.

And if you know much about history, you'll see an awful lot of parallels between the way the mass media treated Muhammad Ali in the 1960s and 1970s and the way it treats Terrell Owens now.

I'm not saying Owens is a saint. I'm just saying that the media is trying to portray Owens like he's Osama Bin Laden and it's just pure unadulterated B.S.

[DTF955]

I can't see it being an act; that would be a really dangerous way, even for the most intense prima donna I don't think they'd endanger themselves and risk dying; if he had been putting on an act and he did it wrong, he'd be dead.

However, as to why he'd try if he has it all? Sometimes the most successful people are the most unhappy. I know a case where a friend of mine had a grandfather who was very wealthy, had a really fancy home, whatever he could want, and the grandfather went out and shot himself. No, he was in the prime of health, but he felt incredibly empty inside.

I didn't hate T.O., I can't bring myself to truly hate another human, but his antics meant he was one of my least favorite players. now, however, I really find myself feeling for him, and wanting him to recover and be able to overcome this, to find that inner peace, if he really did do it. The amount seems like it might have been pretty low if he's already out of the hospital. But, I do think it was a cry for help. Maybe he doesn't want to admit he tried to harm himself (I notice that the officer didn't ask was he trying to *kill* himself, only harm), but I really think it was a cry for help.

Someone needs to make sure T.O. gets to a professional who can help him, away from the limelight, without any reporters bugging him, without any publicitiy. Because whatever he's going through, it isn't something where every word should be dragged through the media.

When I was in high school there was a scandal I won't mention what was involved, except that a teacher mentioned the problem, and I asked him for information. He didn't say I couldn't, but he asked me politely not to report it, so as not to embarrass the people involved, or the school. (In fact, even now I decided to make things sound more vague.) Things had been done to correct the problem and deal with those involved. I kept it quiet, and believe it was the right thing to do. Reporters need to learn the same moral lesson I learned in high school, and let T.O. recover from whatever this is in private, and not be rushing around to get the latest scoop, if this truly was a suicide attempt, or even if it was just a cry for help.

[efin98]

I believe him when he said when he said he didn't try to kill himself. I've encountered scenarios like his where if you screw up just a bit it could cost you dearly.

I've seen accidental overdoses mistaken for attempted suicides many times, it is easy to do if you are new to powerful medicines or if you take many other medicines(suppliments playing a role here).

Pain killers are a dangerous substance, misunderstand your prescription and you could very well be on your way to an accidental overdose. He was in alot of pain at the practice(videos clearly show his hand shaking and him grimacing in pain) and could have thought that it was OK to take another pill...or if you take a pill too early while the predecessor is still being digested or working...an overdose occurs.


Frankly I believe he was "out of it" when interviewed by EMTs and police. He wasn't hearing things right or was babbling and was misunderstood. I've had that happen to family who had a similar instance like T.O.- you don't know what is going on and anything you say should be taken lightly, what matters is the words of folks around you who actualy saw what was going on(not P.R. folks who were "told" what had happened).

[DTF955]

Wow; I didn't realize they were that powerful. I thought they were like any aspirin or something, where it was hard to accidentally overdose. So, perhaps he didn't try to harm himself.

This, however, shows even more what I said earlier, that reporters don't need to be covering every single minute of anyone's life in such thorough analysis, and some things don't need to be reported. I admit I jumped the gun a little, perhaps, so it's easy to see how they can if they're not careful.

[brady_branch]

Terrell Owens has been the national sports media's whipping boy for years now -- and unfairly. He's an easy target and he polarizes people's opinions, which are both good things for the nitwits and morons who run sports talk radio and or write breath-takingly stupid sports columns.

To my knowledge Owens has never broken the law. Owens has never been even accused of using drugs, illicit or performance enhancing. Owens is a clean player, meaning he doesn't go out on the field purposely gunning for other players.

When Owens is on the field he gives it all. Remember a few years back when he shined in the Superbowl after fracturing his leg just a few weeks earlier? Owens always steps up and makes big plays. Owens is one of the greatest wide outs to ever put on a uniform.

And contrary to popular belief, Owens WAS NOT the reason the Eagles imploded in 2005. Owens wasn't the reason McNabb and Westbrook were injured. Owens didn't appoint Mike McMahon to be McNabbs' replacement and then stupidly run an offense that passed the ball 73% of all offensive plays -- that was Andy Reid. Owens wasn't responsible for David Ackers converting only 72% of his field goal attempts last year (which in case you don't know is awful). Owens wasn't responsible for the Eagles defense giving up 388 points, by far the most of any team in the NFC East. Owens wasn't responsible for the Eagles garnering a meager 29 sacks all of last year. Owens wasn't responsible for Jevon Kearse having, up to that point, the worst year of his career. Owens wasn't responsible for Andy Reids' refusals to draft or acquire a power running back. Instead Reid likes to collect skat backs like Moats, Mahe and Westbrook -- who have to try running sideline to sideline because they can't run between the tackles.

The failure of the Eagles in 2005 should be placed squarely on the shoulders of Andy Reid.

What is the worst thing that Owens has done? Argued with a teammate? That goes on constantly on NFL sidelines (anybody who ever played football knows what a sideline is like). Celebrating after a touchdown? That's been going on since before Owens was even born! (And I don't think celebrating after a touchdown in the NFL is unsportsmanlike conduct. We're not dealing with little kids who are going to get their feelings hurt. In my opinion the real practitoners of unsportsmanlike conduct are players like Roy Williams of the Cowboys, who is known league-wide for his dirty hits and blatant attempts to seriously injure other players).

The whole Terrell Owens saga is nothing more than yellow journalism, an attempt to create a scandal to increase interest and sell more newspapers, get more Web site hits, get higher radio and TV ratings. To me I find it sickening. It's a demonstration of the American media at its very worst.

And if you know much about history, you'll see an awful lot of parallels between the way the mass media treated Muhammad Ali in the 1960s and 1970s and the way it treats Terrell Owens now.

I'm not saying Owens is a saint. I'm just saying that the media is trying to portray Owens like he's Osama Bin Laden and it's just pure unadulterated B.S.

Owens is a jerk. Plain and simple. But he's just a wideout, and wideouts don't coach. You're exactly right with what you're saying here. I was sitting in the emergency room waiting to see if I needed surgery for an injured knee (this was last year) and I flip the channel to ESPN, and all it is is T.O. talk. That was when I started to think it was too much. He may be among my least favorite players, but I certainly don't want him to kill himself.

As to the worst thing T.O. has done, go and look at how he ended up in Philly in the first place. I actually kind of liked him before that, but...

Anyway, I live in Baltimore, which is the most T.O.-hating town there is. So my opinions about him might be a little biased.

[D.C.]

He may be among my least favorite players, but I certainly don't want him to kill himself.

Anyway, I live in Baltimore, which is the most T.O.-hating town there is. So my opinions about him might be a little biased.

I agree whole heartedly about wit the first comment...My sentiments exactly.

The second comment, I don't know for certain but given what went on last year and the fact that he is now a cowboy, Philly would probably give Baltimore a run in the T.O. hating stakes.

[racosun]

The media overreact? Nah, couldn't have happened. :p I agree, actually. Take the first Big Tuna presser, before TO's presser. The media kept asking the same question over and over, and The Tuna was getting pretty pissed and finally left in a huff. If you're a member of the media, and the guy next to you just got yelled at for repeating the same question the last two reporters asked, why ask the same question again? That's what they were doing, and that's all they ever do. They all try to bait whomever they are interviewing into saying the "shocking" quote, and then take credit for getting them to "spill the beans." The organizations they work for should be ashamed, but they actually encourage this behavior from their employees.

[DTF955]

The media overreact? Nah, couldn't have happened. :p I agree, actually. Take the first Big Tuna presser, before TO's presser. The media kept asking the same question over and over, and The Tuna was getting pretty pissed and finally left in a huff. If you're a member of the media, and the guy next to you just got yelled at for repeating the same question the last two reporters asked, why ask the same question again? That's what they were doing, and that's all they ever do. They all try to bait whomever they are interviewing into saying the "shocking" quote, and then take credit for getting them to "spill the beans." The organizations they work for should be ashamed, but they actually encourage this behavior from their employees.

Exactly why, after going to school for broadcast journalism, it wasn't my thing.

Of course, then I became a laywer for 10 years, but only in wills & estate planning, never anything with vicious attacks like some.

Probably would have tired of either about the same time; now in school again for another change in careers, feeling called to the ministry. This one will stick, I'm sure - I love helping people.

[racosun]

Two words, raco. Kurt Cobain.

So you're saying Terrell's "friend" tried to kill Owens? ;)

[brady_branch]

I agree whole heartedly about wit the first comment...My sentiments exactly.

The second comment, I don't know for certain but given what went on last year and the fact that he is now a cowboy, Philly would probably give Baltimore a run in the T.O. hating stakes.

Up until last year, Baltimore was by far the city that hated him the most. Now, with the signing of Derrick Mason and the drafting of Mark Clayton, that sentiment has cooled considerably. So Philly should be right at the top of the list. My mistake.