Sports Blog

As I was enjoying a wonderful day at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, I missed the episode in Tennessee where Titan defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth stepped on the helmet-less head of Dallas centre Andre Gurode.

I did catch the replay and like many football fans, waited for the NFL to take decisive action. There are countless situations where players are stepped on or punched, or god knows what else happens under the player piles, but I’ve never witnessed an incident as pre-mediated as this.

There was no doubt that Andre Gurode was completely defenseless. And, from all accounts, there was no exchange between the two players prior to the incident.

For someone to take advantage of a situation where a player’s helmet has come off and the player is lying on the ground is unconscionable.

For this senseless act of violence, Albert Haynesworth received a 5-game suspension. Not nearly enough. I frankly don’t care if he’s remorseful. Of course he is. (But, honestly, he didn’t seem very remorseful when he was chasing the official around after the flag was thrown). He appeared to be making an attempt to plead his case!

The NFL dropped the ball here. It was the opportunity to send a very clear message of Zero Tolerance. Period. If a player can’t control his emotions on the field, he doesn’t belong there. If a player deliberately commits an act that injures another player, the decision is easy – the player is gone and his season is over. Take some anger management courses and get your house in order.

As we know, Gurode received stitches above his forehead and below his eye. What if the eye had been struck and permanently damaged? What would the NFL have done then? Under these circumstances would Haynesworth have received a suspension for the duration of the season? Maybe. Probably. But it’s irrelevant. The litmus test should be “was there intent to injure”? If the answer is “yes”, the player is gone for the season – at the very minimum.

It remains to be seen what Jeff Fisher and the Titans will do regarding the penalty to their own player. Coach Fisher, a formal, sincere and personal apology to Albert Haynesworth by Andre Gurode is an essential first step.

Five games’ suspension – not enough…not nearly enough.

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