Terrion Arnold, the Detroit Lions’ rookie cornerback, hasn’t even walked onto the field yet, but he’s already won over many admirers.
It started when Arnold became a Lion. His response on the phone when he realized it was the Lions calling to make him the 24th overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading up with the Dallas Cowboys was priceless. Then, in front of an estimated 275,000 people, he grabbed the microphone from NFL Network’s Kaylee Hartung and exclaimed, “I’m home, man.” “I’m home!”
This week, he was honored by his high school in Tallahassee, Florida—John Paul II Catholic—when they retired the number 11 permanently and gave him a framed jersey for his collection. And what made it extra cooler? Mr. Biggs, Arnold’s good buddy and the school’s maintenance technician, was the one who presented him with the jersey.
Terrell Owens’ on-field and off-field antics are both ludicrous. But forget about that. This is an origin narrative of how Owens became the T.O. we know today. And it’s mainly due to meat. This is the story of Terrell Owens and Steve Mariucci failing to get along in a way that benefited only T.O. A few of minor errors: at 1:53, I mentioned Jeff Garcia as a 28-year-old rookie; he was actually 29! Then, at 10:39, they played their second game together since arriving in San Francisco. That’s my fault. Taking my whipping in private.
It’s early, and while Arnold’s play between the white lines will undoubtedly be the most important when it comes down to it, how a player conducts themselves off the field is important. Beyond the movie-like night in Detroit, Arnold appears to be a very amazing human being, both on and off the football field.
