TO Makes A Child's Day
by Jason Garrison on Nov 30, 2010 7:00 PM EST
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Print"You may or may not know not me but who I am doesn't matter," Owens wrote. "My name is Terrell Owens, I currently play for the Cincinnati Bengals. My reason for e-mailing you is the E:60 story on your precious gift from God, your son Josiah. I was about to get ready for bed when I caught it somewhere in the middle and when I grasped the content of what was going on ... I was glued to the TV. I must say that you are a strong woman and you have an even stronger son."
That was the opening line of an email that Terrell Owens wrote to the mother of six-year-old Josiah Viera. Josiah suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Progeria, a disease that causes rapid aging in young children. Children with Progeria typically have a life expectancy between eight and 13 years.
After the loss to the Buffalo Bills, TO sent a care package to Josiah that included his game jersey and the ball he caught for his eighth touchdown of the season.
"I am very honored that T.O. not only took the time to write, but also to send his gear that he wore for the Bills-Bengals game," Josiah's mother said. "That is something we will cherish."
Owens said in his email that Josiah's story was inspirational and for the rest of the season, he would wear Josiah's initials on his gloves.
Right now, TO ranks third in the NFL in total receiving yards with 914 behind Brandon Lloyd and Roddy White and he's tied for fourth in the NFL in touchdown receptions with eight. He's making a strong case to be asked to stay in Cincinnati for another year.
No matter what you think about him, love him or hate him, you can't help but respect him for going out of his way to better the life of a child.
"Josiah's face lit up like a Christmas tree as I handed him the football and said this is from Sunday's game," said Josiah's mother, Jennifer. "He gave me the biggest smile as I read what T.O. had wrote on the ball and jersey."
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Not to be a negative Nancy
but actions by celebrities like this don’t impress me. Maybe TO is a very solicitous person who really checks in on children hospitals and spends a lot of his time catering to them. Maybe he donates a lot of his money to charity to help others. Maybe he is not the type of person he has been portrayed by the media for years. Maybe…
But we don’t know that. And something like this, which could have easily been crafted by his agent (who I wouldn’t but past Rosenhaus) to garner media attention and fan following, doesn’t prove anything to me. Given his track record, I honestly don’t buy this as sincerity. But if he is, why does he need to promulgate this?
I imagine a lot of people are going to be in an uproar over my comments, but I get sick of seeing guys/actresses like him being jerks, but suddenly getting lauded for some little charity thing they did, which took them all of 10 minutes or could easily be filed as a tax-writeoff. Meanwhile there are athletes and celebrties constantly contributing to the poor and needy, but you never hear about them, because they do it because they actually care (and not because they want to improve their PR status).
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Yea this is kind of insensitive dude,
Think less about T.O,’s motives and more about the kids happiness.
by JamesShively on Nov 30, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
sadly, this is what I anticipated the reactions to my statement to be
I guess the majority of people become enamoured with random media-spotlight goodwill ploys and assume these typlify a certain celebrity’s life as opposed to realizing they are marketing stunts to garner your praise.
I’m not saying this move didn’t make some unfortunate boy’s day and was not a very nice thing to do. I’m simply stating the fact that TO is a punk who more than likely did this because his agent advised him in order to redeem his PR a little.
Yes, I’m happy for the kid that TO did this. And I’m happy TO did do this. But let’s not take this one gesture (which probably didn’t require anything from TO) and pretend TO is a very charitable guy.
I’m glad TO is on our team to produce on the field and win games (even though it really hasn’t happened), though having stories like this shoved down my throat to pretend he’s any more to society than that is disgusting. Especially after seeing people spend vast amounts of their lives work towards helping less fortunate without ever looking for praise or spotlight.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
What an A-Hole
Whatever the reason, he has done more than you. He brightened a kids day, you shit on someone for doing something nice. You are a miserable person.
I'm not sure why there's such a strong negative reaction to this
He has a point. TO sent a kid some signed items. I’m glad he made him happy. However, he isn’t a hero. He didn’t risk anything to do this. He didn’t put his life on the line or spend a lot of money to help others. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad he did it, but there are people out there who sacrifice a lot more who never get any recognition at all because they aren’t a sports or acting celebrity.
I know it's hip to be cynical
but, god damn, dude. It’s not like TO held a press conference to talk about this. Chad does shit like this, too. Other than his twitter-meals, he’s pretty quiet about it.
Did you know Pac Man visits kids in hospitals? My bro saw him one time just after he got here (only reason he could even kinda sort out who the dude was visiting some kid).
CET Brown
Can't Evaluate Talent.
with or without any hidden agendas
he made this kid’s day during a very short life, that’s gotta be worth something
by whodeydoc on Nov 30, 2010 8:25 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This.
Whether it was a sincere gesture or not, this young man will never forget it. That makes it worth something great.
I have children
Having one of my kids get sick is my greatest fear. If he made that kid have a good day and it took that child’s mind off of what he is going through for a while, then I don’t care what his motives were. That kid will never forget what T.O. did for him.
I have spent some time in Children’s hospitals and I will tell you that most of those kids that are dying have a way better attitude toward life than most of us.
MIKE BROWN STEP DOWN!!!
Blue steel, you suck and you are a complete IDIOT!
Who cares what the motivation is? do you have kids? the worst thing is for your kid to be really sick…….i couldnt care less if TO PR man arranged it,that was a great gift for a kid that is going through something tragic. you need to wake up and enjoy life….that is why guys like TO can never do anything right, when they do something wrong, people like you call him a punk, when he does something right, you still take it away from him…….
by BengalsBungalsWhoDey! on Dec 1, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
It is a great gift. I'm glad he did it.
But, saying Blue Steel sucks because he made a point about this being overblown is a bit much. I’m still puzzled by all the bad reaction. I came a little late to this one, though.
I think you've all missed my point
I’m not saying this isn’t a nice gesture and that we shouldn’t be happy celebrities do things like this. I’m simply stating that it bothers me when the media or celebrities themselves seek attention and hype for doing it, when there’s people who do this all the time behind the scenes (including other celebrities).
Ask yourself this question, why was this publicized? Think about it, someone had to leak it out to the press. I really doubt the hospitial or the parents did, so it was more than likely someone in the TO camp. In that case, why did they do it? Further more, this was supposedly an email that TO (or more than likely his agent writing it for him) sent along with the delivery of a jersey and ball – requiring almost no work from TO. Plus, this kid was apparently in an E-60 special, so it’s not like TO had to visit hospitals just to find him. It sort of begs the question how other unfortunate kids feel after they were neglected by TO in favor of this other kid who’s already recieved national attention on a show (not that I’m saying the kid doesn’t deserve it).
I have much more respect for a guy like Pacman – as one of you pointed out – who visits children’s hospitals without reigning in the media circus, because I sense he actually cares.
And though this will probably be lost on most of you, I am reminded by Luke 18:14 every time I read something like this.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
if you’re waiting for TO to humble himself it probably ain’t gonna happen, but this gesture was a good one, I don’t know what kind of problem you have with TO but this was a feel good story in a year of nothing but crap from the bengals and you tore it apart, dude, calm down and just enjoy the fact that a child was made a little happier with this
idiot
“because I sense he actually cares” Who are you? Who cares what you sense.
Stop pushing bible verses on a Bengals blog and get your ass to the hospital man. Do something nice and stop being such a cynical a-hole.
I just got back from my second deployment to Afghanistan
where I spent two years of my life in a combat zone for the protection of a poverty stricken nation full of people with problems. Beyond that, you have no idea what I’ve done with my free time and money to help others, nor do I really care. And you want to tell me to go to a hospital?
But that’s fine, continue idolizing stupid celebrities and glorify their check-the-box “feel good” stories while others actually carry the load. You people are like sheep who buy into whatever exploits the media portrays of those making money off us.
And has anyone considered the fact that TO might primarily be doing this to improve his image in order to be accepted by another team next season (and in effect make more money)?
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
who cares
the kid is happy. I don’t give a shit why it was done.
So are you ok with me saying that the only reason you are in the Army is to get your college paid for? I mean, you don’t care about the country or helping anyone, you just want the check and benefits.
Sounds pretty dumb when someone says it about you right?
To be honest, I really couldn't care less what you think of me or my motives
and I actually often refrain from even telling people I’m in the Army except when they ask or postulate I’m some “cynical a-hole” who doesn’t do anything or care about anyone. I’m not trying to tute my own horn and I certainly feel more fortunate than many outside the service, given the current economy. In fact, I actually respect many of you out there more than servicemembers because of the responsbilities you maintain without the security bubble of the government insuring your job.
The major issue I have with this post is the sentence, “No matter what you think about him, love him or hate him, you can’t help but respect him for going out of his way to better the life of a child.”
I don’t believe he went out of his way to do this. And I resent the notion of the media constantly trying to delude people like me and you, who make peanuts compared to guys like TO, that he is worthy of our praise beyond what he does on the field, so he can improve his image and make more money. Yea, maybe he made the kid’s day and I’m happy for that, but the kid would have been just as happy if nobody else knew about it. It probably took them more time and effort just to publicize this than it did to email the kid and deliver a football/jersey. And now TO has people like you wrapped around his finger again.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
I swear you speak as if you know Terrell Owens personally.
Sure you can call him a “jerk” because of his media portrayal but what grounds do you have to assume this was all done with alterior motives? I could see your point if you had some personal experience with T.O. that would shine some light on why you call him a “jerk” or a “punk” but to call him that under this conversation really seems out of context to me.
hmmm, interesting question
Beyond his given reputation and incidents involving spitting in players’ faces, publicly ripping on teamates and coaches, being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, getting into fights with team leaders in the lockerroom, essentially being kicked off every team he’s been on, let’s look at his history in terms of self-promotion.
This is a guy who complained about the Eagles not celebrating his 100th TD. He’s had several reality shows inviting the media to spotlight his personal life. He is notorious for excess TD celebrations, which of course draw attention to himself. He held a media event at his house to show himself doing shirtless situps. He is often critical of his teamates when they lose and will especially lay blame on the QB’s whenever he doesn’t get thrown to enough. At various times throughout his career when he is clearly in the wrong, he’d either have his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, address the media for him, sulkingly read off scripted statements, or send written statements. He has publicists, portrayed in his reality shows (and no, I haven’t watched more than 5 minutes of that junk), who spend a good portion of his time discussing what he needs to do for his image.
Sure, I don’t know TO. But everything I’ve heard or read about him suggests he is a very selfish and self-centered guy who is constantly relying on his agent and publicists to project his image. So, when I read a story like this, my immidiate assumption is he’s doing it for his PR status. And when I ask myself why it was necessary to broadcast an admittedly good deed as opposed to just doing it, I can’t think of any other reason than what I have stated. And don’t get me wrong, he has every right to do this, but it bothers me when I see so many people become decieved by it.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Everything you mentioned has to do with him being on the field.
Calling him a “punk” or a “jerk” for a good deed off the field is like I said out of context of what we’re supposed to be talking about here. It’s fair to say he’s a “jerk” or a “punk” from what you’ve seen him in the locker room through the media. But to say he’s a “jerk” or a “punk” for the good things he’s doing off the field and then ASSUMING that he’s somehow plotted the media to pick up on it is unfair. Especially since the media is something he’s notorious for hating.
I'm not saying he's a jerk or punk for doing this
I’m saying that he’s a jerk/punk who did this with the intent of altering that image. And I’m stating I don’t buy it. You can sprinkle roses on dog poop, but don’t tell me it isn’t dog poop anymore.
Out of curiosity, why does he hate the media? If he hates it so much, why does he constantly put himself in the spotlight with reality shows and other crap? Or invite the media to his house? This guy lives off the media. And it bothers me to see him exploiting some poor kid’s illness with the platform of the media when it was completely unnecessary.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Well we all know his history with the media.
Where we disagree is your assumption that his intentions were not in the right place. You have no real way of knowing that you’re simply jumping to your own conclusion blindly. About something that is for a good cause.
well let's turn the argument around
what makes you think that he was doing it sincerely?
I never said he was insincere in this. I just stated I didn’t believe he was sincere and wasn’t going to jump to conclusions, thinking he’s turned his life around. WIth his history, the given situation, and the timing of this though, the circumstances would suggest otherwise.
This actually reminds me of when Mother Teresa and Princess Diana died around the same time and people were erroneously comparing the two based on their charitable acts. To the naive, they probably assumed many similarities. I viewed it as comparing a woman who dedicated her entire life to helping others versus a spoiled princess who was notorious for showing up to charity events for a few minutes and speeding off immidiately after the cameras left. That angered me then and little things like this bother me now.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Okay I gotcha dude.
If celebrities do charity than you question their motives, sincerity, and intentions immediately. I understand your point of view and your reasoning. I just don’t agree with it. I believe some people come from humble beginnings and find charity as an important thing to do when they have the wealth to do it.
Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
that’s the credence I live by. I’d cite the verse, but don’t want to offend anyone on here….
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Very few people join the Army just to get their college paid for anymore
Not since 9/11. Ever since then, there’s always been too much life risk. There’s always a dangerous deployment somewhere. I admire Blue Steel for serving his country. I’m the wife of a 20 year military vet. I know what he has sacrificed.
If anything this should tell us to get off of our asses and help someone else...
Lets not gang up on Blue Steel and lets all show some class over this.
Helping others should be done with humility and not seeking recognition, which is what I think Blue Steel is trying to say, although his remarks did not come out right, and were a bit insensitive (some things are better left unsaid).
Do something for someone else without letting them know who did it and keep it to yourself, that is one of the most humbling and gratifying things you could do. T.O. is probably doing the best that he knows how.
Next time you go through a drive-through buy the persons lunch or coffee behind you, and drive off. Or donate your time and do free work; it is much easier to write a check than give of your time. Instead of paying it back; pay it forward.
And lets say thanks to all of our soldiers who have fought, or are currently fighting, on foreign soil to defend our country, and way of life, who will not be able to spend Christmas with their families, whether you agree with the political circumstances or not.
Today may be your last day on Earth; you never know people, so lets try to live it to the fullest.
MIKE BROWN STEP DOWN!!!
I lol'd when I read this post and then read your tag line.
How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his children?
Fine, I'll revise my point. It was a great post, good way to sum it up.
But still, after reading something like that, and then seeing MB step down in capital letters, just kind of funny. Just the tag line, anyway, since it’s so different than the gist of the entire post in a way.
How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his children?
OK guys and gals, lets put this in some kind of perspective
I have read bluesteel’s post for a long time and have found the, for the most oart to be pretty reasonable. I don’t think he is a bad guy. He just made and unfortunate post. Many of us including myself have done it as well to varying degrees.
Yes, I think the post was not a good one. I am also of the opinion that, though there may be a grain of truth in some of what bluesteel said, he, as well might wish he had put it differently.
He exacerbated the situation by trying to defend it and explain it rather than simply admit is was insensitive and retract it. That done, all is forgiven. How about we all get off of his case and show a little tolerance. I think bluesteel is a good guy who made a bad post. Sooner or later we all do.
Step up bluesteel. A simple “yea, it was a bad post. sorry” will do and then lets all of us move on.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
I thought Blue Steel's first comment was highly reasonable, and his further defense of his position was highly creditworthy.
I surely wish most of the comments on this blog were half so thoughtful. So you can chalk me up too for being an idiotic, insensitive, stupid A-Hole.
I’ll preface my final diatribe
with the fact that I have greatly enjoyed this blog site, learned a substantial amount of knowledge about football, and enjoyed the daily conversations I had with many of you, despite the vicious attacks some of you (with the exception of James Shively who was the only one to actually counter my stance with intellectual arguments) have imposed on me in this post. And though I will no longer provide any more of my views, I will probably continue to view this site with interest as I loyally root for our beloved Bengals.
JJ/DDay, I appreciate your offers of compromise, though I’m afraid I can’t accept them as I don’t regret anything I said and meant every word of it. Many who know me have claimed I read too much into things and overanalyze what should be simply taken at face value. In terms of football, it’s obvious to me that many of you are far more advanced than I am at analyzing players and football concepts which far exceed that of the casual fan, who simply thinks we’re losing because "Palmer doesn’t throw Chad the ball enough". Beyond football, I don’t think that analysis should stop however. We live in a society which is ever increasingly discouraging people into believing they need heroes to save them. If something goes wrong, we need someone with power or ability to come save the day. This concept bothers me greatly, because the people that make this world go round are average, hard-working people like you and me. Not even the president can give you money or a job (and if he claims to, he is giving you somebody else’s).
Sure, this is a small matter I may seem to be blowing out of proportion, but I feel it is a microcosm of an over-arching trend of society. If you ask me, what’s important and has and will continue to help this boy is his mother who brought him into this world and raised him, the wealthy donors who originally donated to the hospital, which takes care of this kid, in order to get it started, the nurses and doctors who I imagine have worked long hard hours to care for these children, the friends and family who will surround him with love and encouragement, and most importantly, the kid himself who will need to make the most out of the remaining years of his life with self-determination – not a football, jersey, or email from some athlete he’s never met. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with TO sending him these things and we can publicly applaud TO for doing this, but I feel that takes away from all the people in that boy’s life who truly work hard for him.
Many of you have mentioned my remarks are insensitive and out of line, however what’s insensitive or out of line to me are all the celebrities who flock after human frailty with the intent of exploiting them for their own public image. If they really care, do it behind the scenes like I’m sure many others do.
Before this year, I was unsure as to whether or not I wanted TO on this team due to his baggage, however after analyzing his play, I’m glad he’s with us and I actually hope he returns. I would just like people to appreciate him for what he truly is, an athlete. Not some crafted public idol who thrives on gleaning your praise for what he appears to be. And just remember, guys like TO depend on people like you to be who they are. We however don’t depend on them to be who we are.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Well blue you said what you think and I said what I think
I see elements of truth in what you say but IMO a celebrity has no obligation to do anything for anyone. When they do it is a good thing. His motives are not important. Not even a little bit. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
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