T.O. Tears

This week, many Philadelphia sports fans are rejoicing that the hated Dallas Cowboys will not be playing in the big football championship game. The Cowboys are hated here in southeastern Pennsylvania due to a long-standing rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles. Some of it is due to normal adversarial feelings for another team, but some of it is due to the Cowboys self-anointed attitude that they are “America’s football team”. In other words, arrogance.

The chest thumping has been particularly acute because of Terrell Owens’ actions after the Cowboys loss. Owens is a former Eagle who offended the largely blue collar Philadelphia fan base by copping a holier-than-thou attitude during contract negotiations a few years ago. The Eagles looked to Owens to help them get a championship, and his prima donna behavior was seen as if he personally stabbed each fan in the back with a butcher knife. This week those same fans see the Cowboys and Owens' failure as vindication for the feelings of betrayal they have had for several years.

Owens was asked how Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, felt about their loss. To his credit – yes, I’m seeing something positive in Owens' answer – the receiver stuck up for his fellow teammate and basically told the media to back off. Unfortunately, he had an emotional breakdown while he was talking, and now everyone is focusing on the crying and not his message.

Sports fans in Philly have engaged in name-calling – crybaby is the most popular – in the wake of this interview. This is understandable given the fact that the local sports audience is still reeling from T.O. turning his back on them. This could very well be part of the healing process.

Of course, there is the age-old stiff upper lip, big-boys-don’t-cry philosophy. Honestly, fellow men, this is one battle we will never win. Our wives, lovers, girlfriends – and for that matter any significant other who can magically transport a can of beer from the fridge to our up-raised grasp whenever we grunt “Beer me” —always complain that we can’t open up and be honest with our emotions. Then when we are “honest” with our feelings, we get crucified. Go figure!

I believe that this is what we witnessed here; T.O. gave an honest display of his emotions. It was the end of the season, and he was frustrated that their goal of winning the championship would not be realized. As a Philadelphia sports fan, I can empathize, or (dare I say it) I can feel his pain.

Also notice that this time T.O. was not talking about himself; suddenly it wasn’t just “me, me, me”. He actually stuck his neck out for Romo, who caught grief for taking his celebrity girlfriend to Mexico during the week off between games. Here is a question only guys would understand: would you stay home and focus on the next all-important game, or would you take your empty-headed blonde bimbo across the border for reasons unknown. This is a no-brainer, and I’m not just referring to Jessica Simpson. Okay, I can think of many reasons to take her out of the country, but I think we can rule out that Romo was escorting her to a Mensa convention.

In short: Dallas fans, your team did not lose because your quarterback suffered from blonde on the brain, or because your prima donna receiver had an emotional breakdown. Your Cowboys lost because the other team played better, period. This is a realization that Philadelphia Eagles fans have had to grapple with at least eight times during this past season. As for Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson, do it well and if it makes you feel good, do it often. (Wink, wink! You know what I mean!) As for Terrell Owens, if it makes you feel better, have a good cry. As for the rest of us, it’s time to move on...