You're always sorry afterwards...why Albert Haynesworth should be suspended

by user Wrestling Beltworld

After the week the Dallas Cowboys had with Terrell Owens' latest soap opera-like moment, the organization was probably hoping that someone or something would take Terrell Owens' spot in the newspapers and sports segments.

All it took was Tennessee Titans Defensive Linemen Albert Haynesworth going WWE on Dallas Cowboys Center Andre Gurode and suddenly, Terrell Owens is not the hot topic.

However, the criminal act Albert Haynesworth committed Sunday better be. There is no justifiable reason to kick someone in the face, and if this had happened outside the stadium, Haynesworth is in handcuffs and calling his lawyer. Gurode's helmet had come off, and Haynesworth deliberately stomped him in the face twice. Not only that, but then when the Officials threw the flag on Haynesworth, he reacted by arguing the call AND throwing his helmet. Apparently, Haynesworth wasn't that sorry at first. Later, "Stone Cold" Albert Haynesworth had this well prepared comment...

"I apologize to Andre," Haynesworth said. "What I did was disgusting. It's something that should never happen. I mean, I'm not a dirty player. I don't play dirty. I have respect for the game. What I feel like is I disgraced the game, disgraced my team and disgraced my last name."

Ok, he apologized; then, again so did Jeffrey Dahmer. The NFL will be reviewing the incident and a suspension is not only warranted, it's necessary. In fact, Albert Haynesworth should be suspended for the rest of the season. This was a criminal act, not a heat of the moment incident. I do not care what Haynesworth says, he not only put 30 stitches in Andre Gurode's face, but then reacted near violently to being penalizied. Haynesworth did not even get ejected for the stomp, but for throwing his helmet.

The NFL is a violent sport played by aggressive human beings. The chance of injury during every play exists. There is no excuse however for this assault. This was not a late hit or a facemask, which is part of the game and the referees are there to control the mayhem. Albert Haynesworth stepped way over the line and should not be stepping on the field again in 2006.

Let's see if the NFL agrees!

Date

Sun 10/01/06, 9:24 pm EST

ASwaffAll-American

1155 days ago

Score 4

Glad to see someone else calling that criminal. It truly was. I hear someone say that it didn't sound right to call Gurode's cuts an injury, because injury conjures the image of getting hurt accidentally. He was assaulted, he was wounded.

I know the league won't do it, but he should be suspended for the season. And I know the Titans won't do it, but he should be kicked off the team. People can lose their heads and do horrible things in a fit of rage. But, he was hitting Gurode when he was on the ground, THEN stepped on his head, THEN came back for seconds. THEN, he threw his helmet and only left the field after having a confrontation with his manager that's being downplayed by the media. And the worst part is, he will see the field of play again this year. A Bengals player will sit out the season because he might have hurt someone, while a guy who actually did hurt someone will probably miss a maximum of three weeks.

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JoebookRed-Shirting

1155 days ago

Score 2

swaff -- I agree with you that he should be suspended, but it's hard to compare this to a DUI. Thurman could have killed innocent people while not knowing what he was doing due to alcohol-induced impairment. Haynesworth knew exactly what he was doing by stepping on a guy's head with cleats. Which incident is worse? I still say driving under the influence puts an infinite amount of people at risk, while Haynesworth isolated his idiotic behavior to one person. Suspend Haynesworth for no less than six games without pay, and hope that Jeff Fisher has the balls to cut him.

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ASwaffAll-American

1155 days ago

Score 0

Hey, believe me - I know the potential damage of driving drunk. I'm not trying to minimize the risk there. I'm just saying that they suspending a guy for a season for potentially hurting someone, and it would be a travesty if they did anything less than suspend Haynesworth for six games for maliciously and intentionally hurting someone.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1155 days ago

Score 1

Agree with everyone all around. As a rugby player, I put my metal boots to people all the time. However, the first thing you are taught is never never never use them on someones head. Even in a brutal sport that is a line of gentlemens respect you just dont cross. Alberts actions were inexcusable, and a tragic brutal act. He should be suspended for as long as possible (8 plus games) and be fined heavily as well as missing all his game checks for missed time.

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J CunninghamVarsity Captain

1155 days ago

Score 0

If I saw the tape right, it looked like Haynesworth ripped Gurode's helmet off before proceeding to stomp with his cleats. At first I only saw the blood on Gurode's forehead, but after watching the replay I was shocked and appauled. I've seen some pretty brutal stuff in my short time, but this was just unspeakable. I hope the NFL hits this guy and hits him hard, but I know if they don't, Fisher will bring the hammer down.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1155 days ago

Score 0

Yeah he kicked his helmet off then went back at him again.

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Davis21wylieMVP

1155 days ago

Score 1

Yeah, after all of the villifying of T.O. this week (and all season, for that matter), who would have expected that the real monster on the field Sunday was Haynesworth?

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ASwaffAll-American

1155 days ago

Score 0

I just saw that he got five games, and the article didn't say anything about a fine. It's the most substantial suspension for on-field actions in NFL history, but it's still not what I would have hoped he'd get.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1155 days ago

Score 0

Yeah and in my opinion 5 games is still not enough. The NFL said they may go back and fine him more

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1154 days ago

Score 0

I just went and found the YouTube of this. For some reason I expected the announcers to say "And that was your Gilette Mach 3 Close Shave of the Game!" I think all the advertising everywhere else on the field is getting to me...

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1151 days ago

Score 0

I missed the video. IS there a place to view/DL it? I just can't believe what I am hearing! Someone actually stomped a fellow athlete like a gang style attack...pretty sad. He should loose his opportunity to play in the NFL.

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