Two years ago, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys pulled a real “doozy” by acquiring the likes of “bad boy” Terrell Owens, self-centered arrogance and all. This was the same guy who, as a member of the 49ers, stood in the middle of the star at Texas Stadium and taunted Dallas fans a few years before. Now, as fast as you can say “get outa town by sundown,“ he's riding in our rodeo!
Nevertheless, I can kind of understand that move. Despite his nefarious reputation, he was a proven Wide Receiver, sure handed, aggressive…a guy who wanted to win. These were veteran skills needed so badly in Cowboy Land at that time. Further, the worst offense he had committed, (that we know of ), was that of acting like “the south bound side of a north bound Appaloosa“ with coaches and teammates.
Thank the lucky “Lone Star,” it seems as if Mr. Owens has taken to life on the prairie and emerged a changed man. He turned his efforts, focus and talents to a team style of play, attributes which he kept so well hidden for so very long. That went quite a ways toward a good season for Terrell and the Cowboys.
Now, however, those Texas "boys have gone and done it again. But this time they may have a real “bull in the corral,” one which could make the shenanigans of Terrell Owens seem Sunday-schoolish by comparison! Rehabbing Owens was one thing, but they may have stepped into the Twilight Zone of miscreants with their trade for Adam “Pacman” Jones from the Tennessee Titans.
We"re not talking about chucking rocks at some pick ups on the Dallas Interstate. Let's put this misbehavior into prospective. On July 13, 2005, Jones was arrested and charged with assault and felony vandalism following a night club disturbance. In October, 2005 it was alleged he was not complying with the terms of his probation, so it was extended for 90 days, although certain authorities wanted an additional year.
In August, 2006, Jones was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication while claiming a woman had stolen his wallet. When she denied the charge, Jones spat in her face and continued to shout profanities at her, ignoring police requests to leave the night club. He got 6 months probation and a court order to stay away from the place altogether.
Just two months later, he was in yet another night club, again getting into trouble. This time, Jones was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges for spitting in the face of a female student from Tennessee State University. He was suspended for one game by the Titans and was slated to be booked on this charge November 17, 2006.
Not to belabor the point, but all in all, Pacman Jones has either been charged with, or suspected of, everything from misdemeanor and felony obstruction of justice, battery, betting on college sports, a civil law suit or two, and having some association with a person who allegedly shot a security guard and two or three others during an altercation at a Las Vegas night club. Most all of this occurred during 2007.
On April 10 th of last year, Jones was suspended for the entire 2007 football season, a chastisement not leaved against a player in over 40 years. One year later, April 23, 2008 the Cowboys signed him to a contract for the upcoming season. The following day, NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown offered his support to Pacman and the Cowboys while Jones remains in Dallas.
Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones was, however, cautious as he deliberated the contract with Pacman. It is a four year deal with no signing bonus and annual roster incentives which will protect the Dallas football organization as well as Jerry Jones himself from any further “off-field miscues.”
Of course, this entire deal is contingent upon Adam “Pacman” Jones' reinstatement to the NFL for the 2008 season. Should that happen, he will get an advance on his salary which will take the place of the signing bonus.
Please do not misunderstand the tone of this article. The information contained herein is a matter of public record and the intent with which this is written is not meant to be judgmental. In fairness to the talents of the young Corner/Punt Return man, several of his Titan teammates wanted him back in their uniform for 2008. More than half a dozen other teams expressed interest in signing him to their programs.
He has displayed talents worth having when it's time to play football. So far, it seems that his problems arise after the final whistle has blown. However, football is a game of redemption; if a player fumbles a handoff, or drops a pass, he'll get another chance to make things right. Fans who understand the game know this fact to be true.
And so it goes with life as well. Second chances come to many people from all walks of life, deserving or not. Should the fates allow another opportunity to “Pacman,“ here's all the best to him and his family! However, while excellence on the football field is notable, it is only a segment within that span of years called a lifetime. The truest success in life begins with a heart made of gold, not a football made of pigskin.
Abraham Lincoln once said “it isn't the years in a life, but the life in the years that count.” That's right on the money, Abe!
