For the past 24 hours, the national media has been obsessed with the latest Terrell Owens saga. Ever since reports revealed details of his trip to the hospital, nearly every news outlet and armchair psychologist in the country has speculated about whether or not T.O. attempted to commit suicide on Tuesday night.

While I don’t think that he genuinely wanted to kill himself, I am inclined to believe that Owens took the painkillers in an effort to do harm to his body. My suspicions were only fortified by yesterday’s press conference, where Owens’ and his publicist told more lies than a married man after a trip to Brazil.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe everything the police say. Still, it’s hard to believe that Dallas police concocted an entire story that would undoubtedly embarrass the town’s star football player

Ironically, the media circus surrounding the ordeal has denied Owens the type of attention that his actions truly deserve. Like many people who fall short of their suicide attempts, T.O. likely ingested the pills in a desperate cry for help. Unfortunately, he has been the subject of cruel jokes and absurd speculation rather than genuine compassion.

Upon hearing the news, many Black people have rejected the notion that Owens committed suicide based on the tired belief that “black folks don’t kill themselves.” Despite the fact that the suicide rate of black males doubled to nearly eight deaths per 100,000 over the past twenty years, many people hold on to the belief that killing oneself is a ritual reserved for white people. This is a dangerous idea, as it that discourages many Blacks from seeking the psychological help that they need.

In Philadelphia (and likely San Francisco), many of the area’s radio shock jocks began to make jokes about the situation. The taunts will only intensify on October 8, when T.O. visits Philadelphia for the next Cowboys game. (Expect to see pill bottles, as well as chants of “O.D.” and “Rx” hurled onto the field). In their haste to shoot at an easy target, many people have lost sight of Owens’ fundamental humanity. Whether this was a legitimate suicide attempt or plea for public attention, T.O. clearly needs help and care.

We should be focused on providing it before it’s too late.