Former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann has joined the growing chorus of voices ripping Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for skipping a mandatory minicamp 15 months after signing a $100 million contract.
“He really offers nothing as a person, as a player, as a teammate,” Theismann said of Haynesworth on Sirius NFL Radio, per Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post. “The only thing this big man has is a big bank account, and good for him, I guess. . . . If you’re a selfish individual -- which Albert has proven to be -- he played this thing absolutely perfect for him. Take the money, so what if I play, so what if I don’t play, I really don’t care any more? And truthfully, he doesn’t really care about playing football.”
Theismann said Haynesworth was motivated to play well in 2008 because he was in a contract year, but that once he got his money, he stopped caring.
“He’s not a team player,” Theismann said. “He doesn’t give a damn about anybody but himself, which has become painfully obvious. And you know what, Albert doesn’t care what anybody says. He’s pocketed 21 million dollars. If anybody would look at this situation, you’d have to say it’s all about the money, its not about the love of the game. He pulled the classic wool over peoples’ eyes: play really well in your final year of a contract as a free agent, get somebody to pony up a lot of money that needs you in the system that they’re running -- which the Redskins did in a 4-3 -- and then show us really what kind of character and individual you are.”
The vast majority of Redskins fans no doubt agree with Theismann’s tough talk. But if what Theismann says is true, Redskins fans should be angry not only with Haynesworth, but also with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who was the one who allowed Haynesworth to pull the wool over the Redskins’ eyes.