T.O. - First owner to ever be fired?

The title of this post poses a question because I'm not sure if it's ever been done. We know the only constant in professional sports is change. Coaches are hired and fired. Players get drafted, called up, traded, signed and cut. Teams switch uniforms, arenas and sometimes cities. However, the one constant is the owner. There are usually only two ways a team can change ownership. The owner dies or he sells the team. You can't fire the owner. Scratch that. You couldn't fire the owner until now.

Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens signed with the Allen (Texas) Wranglers of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in February. His deal included a six-figure salary and a minority ownership stake in the team. Unfortunately, the business relationship between the Wranglers and Owens came to an end on Tuesday when the team released him as a player and terminated his ownership status. Watch the ESPN.com video below on how this all unfolded (email subscribers click here).


Owens' record as a player speaks for itself. He is truly one of the most gifted and accomplished athletes to ever play in the NFL. Owens is fourth all-time in touchdowns, second in receiving yards and sixth in catches. There has never been any real argument against his ability. The argument has centered on the debate as to whether or not Owens' talent is worth his attitude. Every team he played for either showed him the door or didn't chase after him as he left. The last straw for the Wranglers came when Owens refused to play in two upcoming road games and did not show for a scheduled appearance at a local children's hospital.

When asked about the Owens release, Wranglers majority owner Jon Frankel said, "It's disappointing and unfortunate, but [he] could no longer be tolerated by the Wrangler organization." Those are very powerful words. In sports, we often overlook character weaknesses because a person's athletic ability is so strong. This is a poor approach and never works over the long run. You can certainly win a few games with poor character on your team, but team chemistry, respect and camaraderie are destroyed in the process.

Don't let this happen to you. Don't let your welcome wear out before your skills do. Our character is the only thing we have as human beings that can get stronger as we get older. Eventually, we can't run as fast, lift as much, and we may start to forget a few things. On the other hand, we can always treat others with greater respect and dignity. Owens once said, "I love me some me." Well, good luck with that. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol