Beleaguered lineman says he wasn’t hung over at practice on Friday
ASHBURN – Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth angrily denied a report that he was hung over. He also said he does not want to be released.
Haynesworth, speaking on 106.7 “The Fan” Monday night, said a report by CSN Washington, citing multiple sources, that he “appeared hung over” at practice Friday is false. He admitted that he was out Thursday night, but left early because he wasn’t feeling well.
Haynesworth was deactivated for Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the New York Giants, with coach Mike Shanahan saying he practiced poorly on Thursday and was limited with an illness on Friday.
“For these people to make up lies to try to make me look bad, it’s ridiculous,” Haynesworth said. “They are cowards and if they have something to say, they should come to my face, not run to the media and try to blast me behind my back.
“There are some kind of haters in the organization, that they don’t like me. Obviously there’s somebody who doesn’t like me, which is fine. But when you go out there and start making up lies, then I’ve got something to say.”
Haynesworth said he does not want to be cut.
“Nobody wants to be cut, but I do want to be treated fairly and I do want to play,” he said. “I want to show how I can play. They pay me this money, let me play like I played in Tennessee. Let me show you. I’m under contract. I want to play football — that’s what I love to do.”
Teammates are questioning Haynesworth’s commitment to the Redskins. But Haynesworth said they shouldn’t.
“I’ve never had an issue with playing,” he said. “I always play hard. I play hurt. I’d blow out something before I’d quit playing. I’m still the same player I was when I left Tennessee and if they could put me on the field and let me prove that I would. Getting 14 snaps a game is not helping anything.”
