GRUFF TIMES
5 ways to make Bill O’Brien more likeable
SportsMap Staff
Dec 6, 2018, 7:00 am
Billy O's image could use a reboot. Composite photo by Brandon Strange
The Texans have won nine in a row, are in control of the AFC South and in the running for a top two seed. They have dusted two inferior teams in the last two weeks, and are playing great football.
But for some reason, no one likes Bill O’Brien. If we put his picture on a story, people don’t want to read it. He’s gruff, standoffish, a know it all, a bully and at times comes off as an ass. Or, as Charlie Pallilo calls him, Billy Bluster.
If the Texans keep winning, O’Brien’s profile is going to continue to grow.
So as a public service, here are five things O’Brien can do to become more likeable:
Answer the questions thoughtfully. The infamous “not my job” comment and terse responses - especially after losses - come off as petty. You can be that way when you have titles (Bill Belichick, Gregg Popovich). But when you don’t you are just a jerk. Put some effort in it, Billy.
There is this thing called a smile...Have you ever seen him do it? Nope, neither have we. When you win, show some positive emotion. As Billy himself says, it’s hard to win a game in the NFL. When you do, take a second to enjoy it.
Puppies. Bring a puppy to the press conference. Everyone loves puppies. They will ignore everything else. “We sucked today” will still get an “awwww” with a good puppy.
Open up a little. People close to O’Brien say he is a great guy. That side never shows up in public. Yeah, we know you have to put on a facade, but not everything has to be the tough guy, small man act.
Screw it. Just keep winning. Get a Super Bowl and you can act like an ass and no one cares.
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