Key Is to Ask, ‘What Would T.O. Do?’

Asked about his contract problem with the Philadelphia Eagles, Terrell Owens told the Miami Herald’s Jason Cole: “At the end of the day, I don’t have to worry about what people think of me, whether they hate me or not.

“People hated on Jesus. They threw stones at him and tried to kill him, so how can I complain or worry about what people think?”

Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that he couldn’t find any mention in the King James version of the Bible of people who “hated on Jesus,”but added that there seems to be “a direct correlation between the man the New Testament says died for the sins of all mankind and T.O., who wants a new contract from the Eagles.”

Sheridan’s findings:

* “Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Owens’ Eagle career began at training camp in Bethlehem, Pa.

* “Jesus fed the multitudes with loaves and fishes. Owens wants more bread and thinks there was something fishy about his original deal.

* “Jesus walked on water. Owens reminds people of Ricky Watters.

* “Jesus rose from the dead after just three days. Owens came back from a broken ankle in just five weeks to play in the Super Bowl.

* “Jesus made wine from water. Owens made whine from a $49-million contract.”

Trivia time: Not including league-wide number retirements, such as Jackie Robinson’s, who are the only professional athletes in baseball, basketball, football or hockey to have their numbers retired by three or more teams?

Fantasyland: A worthwhile tip for fantasy sports beginners from Stephen Snyder, general manager of CBS SportsLine.com, to Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel: “Make sure your boss is in the league, even better if you make him the commissioner. That way you have nothing to worry about.”

Come sail away: Karl Stein became the oldest participant in the Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac Island, Mich., when he took part in the 107th race at age 96, his 30th time in the race.

“But forget the sailing,” wrote Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times. “His competitors just like having him around to hear all the old Christopher Columbus stories.”

Certainties: “You’ve got your death, you’ve got your taxes, and you’ve got Lou Piniella melting down after another lousy call by the umpires,” wrote Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post. “This guy can do it all -- throw bases, toss his cap, kick dirt on the umps, scream at writers and smash water coolers. Does that make him a five-tool maniac?”

Looking back: On this day in 1976, 14-year-old Nadia Comaneci of Romania scored a 10 in the uneven parallel bars in Montreal, becoming the first gymnast to receive a perfect score at the Olympics.

Trivia answer: Wilt Chamberlain, by the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Lakers; Nolan Ryan by the Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

Last word: NBC’s Jay Leno, on rumblings that Lance Armstrong might someday run for governor: “Well, finally Texas would have a governor who knew how to ride a bicycle.”