Occasionally there is a news story that truly stuns me. This is one of them. I just heard on the radio that Terrell Owens, the highly talented and highly controversial wide receiver of the Dallas Cowboys, tried to kill himself last night. There are not many more details than that available yet.

His name has come up here before, usually in a negative light. For all his talent, which no one disputes -- he is generally considered the top receiver of his generation, at least if "generation" is defined loosely enough to not include Jerry Rice -- he has been a lightning rod since his rookie year with the 49ers. He talks trash, he preens on the field, he gives every appearance of not caring what anyone thinks. Not to play amateur psychologist but somehow I have always sensed beneath the gangsta exterior a person crying out for help. And that's it for the amateur psychology. (Those with more formal training in psychology are encouraged to jump in).

Here is one link. I am sure this story will be all over the news today, and not just the sports news.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2604395

Richard Corey went home last night / And put a bullet through his head ((c) Paul Simon)