Terrell Owens Not Mental After All: How Could They Have It So Wrong?
TO did not want to commit suicide. He had too much to live for. His publicist may have gotten the interpretation wrong. The first responders may have too. A guy does not take pills to commit suicide. "That is a woman's stuff," said the local barber. If TO wanted to commit suicide, he would do something else. He would have first scored a touchdown, done some dancing on the sideline and committed suicide right there. The public would have to witness it. He would still grab the spotlight. Terrell would not like to die alone on pills. He would prefer to go with a loud bang. He could throw himself offstage. Or he could arrange for somebody to give him a killer hit on the field. He would get comatose and never regain his senses. I was not surprised when the early reports said that he had an overdose of painkillers or of the medications he was taking for his hand surgery. TO is too smart to know that this event would bring the wrong publicity to him, teammates and family. For sure, Owens would refute the early story of his hospitalization. How could he afford to go on, put on a show if all the opposing players knew he was a nut case?
Dallas Police are now classifying Terrell Owens' case as an "accidental overdose." Folks, it was not an attempted suicide. The investigation is over. Once Owens regained his sense and footing, he realized the damage that was done. He launched himself to the defensive. The game is offense and defense. He categorically rejected the initial versions of his hospitalization. We wonder whether he is on speaking terms with the female who was with him and witnessed him popping those mixed up pills. If it was his publicist, she may not have a job any longer. What was the publicist doing there with him? Keep in mind that the name of the female witness was not initially released. So the Dallas Police were left with a story they had to defend. They had to defend their first responders' initial report. They had to stand up by their news conference. It is clear that information and facts change. With money, fame, power and spin, they do change indeed! Did anybody know that TO was a nut case? Did anybody counsel him on getting psychiatric help? Bill Walsh is the guy who said that he talked to the Pro about seeking some counseling, but he refused. So, what is the lesson? If an NFL player has mental issues, he should keep them private. Otherwise, other players and the media would dog him with cases of mental health imbalance for ever. TO would do something to help others if he sought mental health counseling if he truly need such services. In the meantime, who will know that he had problems.
What is his explanation? TO said he was not depressed. He mistakenly mixed the painkillers for a broken hand with supplements he ordinarily takes. He does take supplements! This mixture caused him to be groggy and incoherent. His female witness was concerned and called 911.