MI and TO are such different kettles of fish that I find it hard to compare them.
Of course, MI's behavior hurt his teammates, owner, fans, family, and himself.
But Irvin's excesses were self-indulgent and immature off field misadventures..not self glorifying, egocentric whining, exhibitionism, and finger pointing at team-mates.
MI was a charismatic reveler in the Broadway Joe mode and his partying symbolized the snorting 80's and early 90's as much as Namath's Johnny Walker Red, blondes, and ** Manchu did the late 60's. Unfortunately with Irvin, the partying crossed into illegal substances and ladies of ill repute.
But Irvin was for, about, and with his team. The kind of obvious affection Aikman holds for him stems from the bond of brotherhood forged on the field. Irvin celebrated life, celebrated it too much. We know TO celebrates only himself...and there is no sense of joy in his showboating, only narcissism and compulsion. When you watched Irvin act up in the end zone, you smiled in spite of yourself. TO's exhibitionism incites pity.
Irvin's displays were celebration of youth, athleticism, and team spirit; TO's merely glorification of the self, chest thumping parodies of the thrill of sports.
In my mind, when TO launched those post-49er attacks on Jeff Garcia, he marked himself far beyond the pale of ANY athlete in my memory. He demonstrated a basic lack of empathy for a fellow professional athlete that was shocking in it callousness. In his me-focused cocoon, how could the embarassment to Garcia measure up to the opportunity to make a headline? Really, TO demonstrates no empathy for anyone. I wouldn't bat an eyelash to hear some shrink diagnose him a full blown psychopath.
I just saw Woody a few moments ago on ESPN say no player should ever compare his QB to another one as TO did McNabb and Favre. Darren, this is a guy who for no reason other than his own self aggrandizement and publicity seeking, several times publically claimed his ex qb was 'gay'. Incensed that his time with Garcia hadn't equaled Payton to Harrison, and Marvin's numbers were sexier, TO's chosen form of hissy fitting was an ongoing, uncalled for, unsubstantiated homophobic rant.
And Woody expects him to resist the opportunity to go off on McNabb again? (Darren recommended "just say 'no comment. Like TO has anything like the self control to pass up a free shot?)
That sort of behavior would be incomprehensible to Irvin, a stand-up-guy. He may taunt or tease Key and Terry that they are not 'number one receivers" for controversy's sake, but would he ever, did he ever, disrespect his teammates?
Anyway, one was for and of his team no matter what his personal weaknesses. The other only about himself no matter what. Irvin was a fallen angel, a celebrated 'bad boy' whose character flaws stemmed from an excess of buoyancy and the misguided notion of most young people that they are immortal. He represented the late 20th century superstar athlete to the T - the negatives as well as the positives.
Owens is the devil of post-industrial age individualism come home to roost in athletics, a blast at the very core of unity, and a slap in the face at the fundamental collectivist values that make team sports 'work'.
Sick pup...seek help.
