Mike Celizic's commentary on Terrell Owens' proclamations about God drew quite a response from NBCSports.com readers, including more than 1,000 e-mails.

We've published selected e-mails below, edited for length and clarity.

Coming from the most self-important, presumptuous sports columnist around, your indignation at T.O.'s comments could be laughable. But in a day and age when the President says God told him to invade Iraq, causing thousands upon thousands on needless deaths and dragging the country toward potentially endless unnecessary conflict, picking on an athlete for making similar claims is pretty shallow and meaningless.

In any case, don't athletes make comments like this all the time? Don't everyday citizens do the same?

I've always considered you a bit obnoxious. Now I know that was an unfair judgment: unfair, that is, to obnoxious people. You are downright offensive.

By the way: I haven't seen any crow feathers on your plate following your taunting remarks about the Eagles’ likely choke last week. Are you so far gone that you cannot even come back and admit when you were wrong?
--Dan Beller-McKenna, Durham, N.H.

The problem with people like you is that you wish to interpret things your own way. God does watch over those with less, as well as those with more. If you truly believe the crap you spewed here, then it would seem to me thst you don't really believe in God at all. It may have been crass of T.O. to say what he said how he said it ... but ... for anyone who actually believes in the power of God and what he can and can't do, God is in everything that happens. I pray you find that truth!
--Steve, Dallas

I think you're too harshly criticizing a man's faith. He is not being presumptuous; he was merely expressing his belief that God is helping him. You may disagree with how God interacts with humanity, but save your satire for the field. Leave a man's faith out of it.
--Ted Lord, Pensacola, Fla.

You are right on the money! My pet peeve in life is what T.O. said. Having been raised Catholic and growing up in Rhode Island and now working in D.C. and living in Virginia, you hear much of the same around here. If someone was "blessed" for surviving a car accident, what about the infants who get killed in car accidents? They weren't "blessed," I guess. God gives us strength, but as far as being "blessed" and surviving some terrible mishap -- I can think of many better people than myself who have gone on to the hereafter prematurely.
--Anna Brennan, Washington D.C.

Speaking of insulting, Celizic should read a book or two before playing theologian. What Owens says his God does for him is his own business, no matter what religion or God he places faith in. Celizic's self-righteous declaration of the nature of God and the tsunami is disgusting. He should stick to sports writing... maybe.
--Aaron Twitchell, Seattle

This is a great story. Who does T.O. think he is anyway? The Eagles would probably be better off without him, since he only wants fame for himself. Football is a team sport and one person will not make a difference. Sell the earrings, T.O., and donate the money to the tsunami victims.
--John R., Dover, N.H.

Simmer down, Celizic. I usually enjoy your tirades, but I think you are taking this one a bit too far. T.O. is pleased with his healing process and is giving credit to a higher power and not to himself for a change. I don't think his comments were anything deeper than that. The fact of the matter is for "believers" if God wants T.O. to play, he will and if He doesn't want T.O. to play he won't. It has nothing to do with whether God is an Eagles fan or a Patriots fan but what is in His divine plan. T.O. is neither gracious nor humble, nor has he ever pretended to be, but I think that he has made more strides towards being a team player this season than he has ever done before, and when he was down he was the biggest cheerleader the Eagles had. Could he feed Haiti with his earrings sure he could, but so could you, with what you get paid with your nationally syndicated columns. What's good for the goose, and all that. And in the words of Jesus Christ, "Let he who is without sin, ... oh you know the rest."
--Bernadette Atwater, Pottstown, Pa.

The article is right on the money. This is just another example of an athlete that has no intelligence and an extremely large ego. If there is a just God, T.O.'s ankle will be severely hurt while he is playing, and his career will end. Then God can go and help the real needy people. And those who are truely religious and live by all the scriptures will not have to listen to this buffoon, or watch as he is lifted to idol status by corporate America while there are people more deserving of it.
--Glenn Chase, Chicago

In the beginning of the article I wanted to tell you off. It really helps to finish reading the whole article. When you get down to the last couple of paragraphs, I understand what you are trying to get across. Being humble is very important to the living God.
--Mary Ann Gregory, Helena, Mont.

A very mean-spirited commentary ... exactly what Christians have come to expect from the national media. Everyone has their own path to grace. Some of us grow to maturity faster than others. T.O. may be right or wrong in his spiritual insight ... Celizic obviously has it out for believers.
--Marlee Wilson, Charlotte, N.C.

Which is the greater sin, in your opinion? Owens’ telling the world that God has healed him, or your judging him for it? "Judge not, that you be not judged." Matt. 7:1
--Dana Bindeman, Sulphur Springs, Texas