TIKI vs T.O. (Perception vs. Reality)
By Manny Yarbrough
1/30/2007
Tiki (Tiki Barber) and T.O. (Terrell Owens) are now famous ( or in T.O.’s case
INFAMOUS) football players in the NFl. Tiki is actually a retired player, while
T.O. may or may not play another year for the
With
all the facts taken into account, I decided to do a little contrast/comparison
between the two players to really see if they are THAT different. Let’s
look at some of Tiki’s
actions and some of T.O.’s. First, T.O. is criticized for tossing teammates (and
coaches) under the bus. His falling out with Donovan McNabb led to his
being shipped out of
Anyhow, in another instance, T.O.’s always viewed as selfish and boastful when he refers to himself as being a playmaker and as someone who can make a difference in a game. He’s criticized for this, even though he proved his mettle by recovering from a devastating ankle injury early and producing big time in a Super Bowl. Tiki makes a statement about what a “damn good” player he was when he was allowed to do his job. Tiki’s statement appeared to me, as an indictment on the coaching staff and an affirmation of his talents in a boastful sense. T.O.’s still reviled for this type of behavior, while Tiki is viewed as upstanding and proud. Two players, SAME indiscretion, same result? I’M NOT QUITE SURE!
While these two examples of the aforementioned player’s behavior were similar, the perception of these two players seems to be in stark contrast. Now I’ll give examples of Tiki delving into behavior that T.O. has not come close to involving himself in. First, Tiki lets on that he’s retiring after the season, but pledges to give it his all. Then he admits his mind wasn’t focused on football during game week. I only bring this up because of all the tings T.O.’s accursed of, he’s never been a quitter. It’s Tiki’s right to retire, but it gives the
impression of quitting and that’s something that would’ve been better not known at the time it was learned. Tiki was slightly criticized and forgiven for quitting, while T.O.’s was ostracized for dropping balls even though he played with a severely damaged hand and led the league in touchdown receptions. Through all of this and an overdose of prescription pills, quitting was never one of T.O.’s options. Two players, same indiscretion, same result? I’M NOT QUITE SURE.
Of all the perceptions of T.O. another thing he has never involved himself in is another teammates contract negotiations. That’s considered a cardinal sin and it lays root for harboring some ill will toward teammates, especially if the teammate publicly comments on the other player’s deal. Tiki went public with his feelings on Michael Strahan’s contract negotiations. He went as far as saying Strahan should take what was being offered and be happy with it, and just go and play football. No outsider should try to influence someone else’s contract through the public perception in the media. I think this is something that no one would take a liking to if they were in this situation. T.O. has talked about coaches and players, but he never stepped into another players contract talks. Tiki wasn’t even slightly criticized for such actions and still held in good standing for something that could be viewed as a betrayal of sorts. Two players, one INDISCRETION, NO RESULT. Seems a little CURIOUS.
The reality of these two men’s behavior is closely linked in similar situations but the perception of each man vastly differs and it leads one(me) to scratch his head and wonder why. You may want to bring up T.O.’s antics on the field, but that shouldn’t mean he should pay a higher penance for the same infraction another man also committed. With all this being said, it seems the argument of perception vs. reality will always be among us, the only problem is ~ WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?