Terrell Owens is going to have surgery on a torn ACL this month – or if you believe agent Drew Rosenhaus, HAD surgery back in April.  Nevertheless, it’s likely that T.O.’s career is over.

The NFL will be a different place without such a great – and controversial – player.

Which begs the question: how should T.O. be remembered?

In spite of his on-the-field exploits (more on that later), he will be known more for he had done away from the gridiron.  Being such a distraction from his actions/things he’d say.  Being a “turrible” teammate (see Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo).  His ventures into reality television (isn’t it hilarious that he was said to have hurt his knee while filming one of those stupid-ass reality shows?).

Well, in spite of those things, I think T.O. is a Hall of Famer.  In fact, I think he will go in on the first ballot.

I mean, correct me if I am wrong but last I checked, the voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are stats-driven.  After all, as bad as a guy he was off the field, Lawrence Taylor got in during his first year of eligibility because of what he did ON THE FIELD.

Getting back to T.O., how could you deny a guy who had accomplished the following:

• 6× Pro Bowl selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)
• 5× All-Pro selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007)
• Receptions: 1,078 (5th all-time)
• Receiving Yards: 15,934 (2nd all-time)
• Receiving TDs: 153 (2nd all-time)
• Currently, the only player in NFL history to score a receiving TD against all 32 NFL teams
• Currently, the only player in NFL history to score 2 TDs against all 32 NFL teams
• Oldest player to have a TD reception of 98+ yards (35 years, 350 days)
• Oldest player to have a TD reception of 78+ yards (36 years, 300 days)
• Oldest player to have a 200 yard receiving game (36 years, 300 days)
• Consecutive Seasons with at least 6 or more touchdowns, 2000-2010 (11) – tied with Marvin Harrison 1996-2006, Jerry Rice 1986-1996, Cris Carter 1991-2001, Tim Brown 1991-2001, Don Hutson 1935-1945
• Consecutive Seasons with at least 5 or more touchdown receptions, 2000-2010 (11) – tied with Marvin Harrison 1996-2006, Jerry Rice 1986-1996, Cris Carter 1991-2001, Tim Brown 1991-2001, Don Hutson 1935-1945
• Consecutive Seasons with at least 5 or more touchdowns, 2000-2010 (11) – tied with Marvin Harrison 1996-2006, Jerry Rice 1986-1996, Cris Carter 1991-2001, Tim Brown 1991-2001, Don Hutson 1935-1945
• Consecutive seasons with at least 4 touchdown receptions, 1996-2010 (15)
• Consecutive seasons with at least 4 touchdowns, 1996-2010 (15)

Look, I am not a T.O. apologist.  In fact, I don’t like the guy.  I am just a firm believer in fairness.

Bottom line: if T.O. doesn’t get in on the first ballot, the voters should have their voting rights revoked effective immediately.

Categories: NFL, sports story