Odell Beckham Jr. is polarizing.
Whether you think that’s a fair assessment or not, it’s the truth. Just like a lot of superstar receivers that etched their names into NFL record books.
His larger-than-life personality, coupled with his transcendent ability on the field, made him a household name dating back to the iconic catch on Sunday Night Football at the Meadowlands on Nov. 23, 2014. His incredible skills and unique style have influenced a generation that loves to emulate his pregame routines, flare for the dramatic, and overall aesthetic on the gridiron.
Of course, the way Beckham has moved during his eight-year career has featured its fair share of missteps that his haters—those who live to hate watch the wide out—love to reference. His erratic behavior during the 2019 College Football Playoff title game featuring his alma mater LSU—when he handed out cash to Tigers players—led to the university disassociating itself from the star. It was a decision that I theorize led to the outstanding ”‘I’m Him” proclamation during the Sunday Night Football Introductions ever since. Then there’s the 2015 on-field fiasco with Josh Norman that led to a one-game suspension and subsequent league-wide rule changes the following year. It’s an incident that looks crazier seven years later.
And most recently, his unceremonious exit from Cleveland was eerily reminiscent of his unceremonious exit from New York. His tenures in both cities ended in speculation of dysfunction and animosity rooted in perceptions that the receiver is a diva and difficult to work with. His magnetic influence is very similar to that of another polarizing superstar from another generation: Allen Iverson. These two share the same orbit when it comes to being lightning rods for conversation due to their unique ability to be unapologetically themselves. Like AI, Beckham attracts eyes.
But to be completely honest, as bad as those dings on OBJ’s résumé may seem, they aren’t close to warranting the levels of vitriol he receives from fans and factions of the media. Narratives paint Beckham a “team cancer” or a “prima donna” are contrasted by teammates, both current and former, who attest otherwise.
That’s been evident in the outpouring of support his former teammates have shared through social media, from the immediate aftermath of his Browns release to the congratulatory messages he’s received leading up to his first Super Bowl appearance. One of his closest allies, Browns receiver and fellow LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry, surprised Beckham during this week’s media session with a message for his brother:
And what about those who ignore how magnanimous Beckham is, whether it’s the outpouring of support he shows to the youth, as former NFL scout and current analyst Bucky Brooks saw firsthand, or the support he offers peers fresh off of competition. It’s all genuine.
Odell has changed a lot since his comet-like arrival in the NFL. It’s apparent in his mannerisms, it’s apparent in the way he carries himself, and it’s apparent in his measured responses. Whether that’s the maturity of a soon-to-be new father or the perspective you gain through the twists and turns of life, it’s certain that this latest iteration of OBJ is quite possibly his greatest.
Each and every one of us can identify with moments of adversity—moments of being unsure, moments of uncertainty within our respective journeys. But to see someone overcome the bullshit, keep their essence, and be on the brink of professional immortality—well, it seems like they’re a champion already.
So if you’re one of those people still on the fence about OBJ, I promise you it’s okay to root for him on Sunday. I am.
