Let me get this straight. You had a check for $21 million, and you're complaining? About what? The bank wouldn't deposit it? The Washington Redskins missed a "0"? Your car broke down on the highway? You stubbed your toe on the way out of the door?
Thabiti Lewis, an author and professor, made a nice case for Haynesworth's recognition of certain dynamics that exist outside of the deal that he's not too happy with as a member of the Skins (http://newsone.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/thabiti-lewis/did-albert-haynesworth-really-mean-slave/comment-page-1/#comment-1831755). My issue is that it's hard to make a case for a guy who had a $21 million check, so I don't buy the notion that Haynesworth is in an unreasonable position.
In Haynesworth's defense, this isn't as cut-and-dry as we normal folks would like to think. We haven't seen his contract nor do we walk in his shoes. We don't know how he or his situation has been addressed behind closed doors, either. And many of us joke that people can "do whatever they want to me" for even $100,000 knowing that we literally don't want people to do "whatever they want" to us. And I'll be the first to scream to the mountain tops that I despise the employer's "You're lucky to have a job" argument, but this isn't just any job.
Haynesworth is considered the best defensive lineman in the NFL, and he has been paid according to that claim. His beef is that he doesn't like the Skins' defensive scheme. I understand that the team basically demanded that he change his position, techniques, and thought process to satisfy the new scheme. I understand that changing may expose weaknesses that Haynesworth can't afford to let opposing teams see on a week-to-week basis. I get it. As a P.R. guy, it's like asking me to concentrate more on marketing than media relations. Oh, wait, I do that. OK, it's like asking me to be responsible for the very involved duty of being a sports information . . . Oh, wait, I do that, too. It's like asking me to take on web . . . Geez, I do that, too, and I have yet to get my $21 million check. Hmf, I still work for the same salary with more responsibilities than I expected to have. Sounds like the modern workforce to me. Sure it's football for Haynesworth, but the New England Patriots ask their players to learn several positions in order for the team to maximize its winning potential. And they win.
Lewis noted in his piece that there has been a comparison made between Haynesworth's and Brett Favre's demands with Favre getting a more favorable response from fans and the media. I'm not buying that one, either. True, Favre has been demanding and has created a circus for the past three offseasons (which talking heads have criticized him sharply for); but we're comparing apples to oranges here. Favre, whether folks want to admit it or not, has earned his way; and he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. PLUS it only took him one season to get the Vikes one play away from the first Super Bowl they would have been in since the ’70’s. The problem is that the Vikings gave in to his circus.
Let’s say Donovan McNabb, a Black quarterback, had the same issue as Haynesworth. I think that would be apples to apples, because of the dynamic of race which has entered the discussion. McNabb is the consummate professional and leader who’s gotten results through numerous trips to the NFC Championship plus a Super Bowl trip. If McNabb felt that he had a lucrative deal with unfair demands on the table, I would say that he has enough credibility to put up an argument. It seems that the McNabbs of the world, however, have an understanding of several cliches--"The more money, the more problems", "To whom much is given, much is expected", "With great power comes great responsibility", etc. I also believe that people of McNabb's character understand what a rare and beautiful opportunity exists in putting on an NFL uniform.
Maybe it wouldn't be fair to tell Haynesworth to take the money and shut up, but he has been afforded the rare opportunity to work in one of the world's most unique and admired fields--professional sports. What is a mere dream to men who have only a high school memory of that time they kept Albert Haynesworth from getting any sacks, is a high-profile and financially rewarding career for Haynesworth. I'm an intelligent and a very talented guy who gets excited when I negotiate a mere $500 for a gig. What the hell is Haynesworth complaining about?
Thabiti Lewis, an author and professor, made a nice case for Haynesworth's recognition of certain dynamics that exist outside of the deal that he's not too happy with as a member of the Skins (http://newsone.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/thabiti-lewis/did-albert-haynesworth-really-mean-slave/comment-page-1/#comment-1831755). My issue is that it's hard to make a case for a guy who had a $21 million check, so I don't buy the notion that Haynesworth is in an unreasonable position.
In Haynesworth's defense, this isn't as cut-and-dry as we normal folks would like to think. We haven't seen his contract nor do we walk in his shoes. We don't know how he or his situation has been addressed behind closed doors, either. And many of us joke that people can "do whatever they want to me" for even $100,000 knowing that we literally don't want people to do "whatever they want" to us. And I'll be the first to scream to the mountain tops that I despise the employer's "You're lucky to have a job" argument, but this isn't just any job.
Haynesworth is considered the best defensive lineman in the NFL, and he has been paid according to that claim. His beef is that he doesn't like the Skins' defensive scheme. I understand that the team basically demanded that he change his position, techniques, and thought process to satisfy the new scheme. I understand that changing may expose weaknesses that Haynesworth can't afford to let opposing teams see on a week-to-week basis. I get it. As a P.R. guy, it's like asking me to concentrate more on marketing than media relations. Oh, wait, I do that. OK, it's like asking me to be responsible for the very involved duty of being a sports information . . . Oh, wait, I do that, too. It's like asking me to take on web . . . Geez, I do that, too, and I have yet to get my $21 million check. Hmf, I still work for the same salary with more responsibilities than I expected to have. Sounds like the modern workforce to me. Sure it's football for Haynesworth, but the New England Patriots ask their players to learn several positions in order for the team to maximize its winning potential. And they win.
Lewis noted in his piece that there has been a comparison made between Haynesworth's and Brett Favre's demands with Favre getting a more favorable response from fans and the media. I'm not buying that one, either. True, Favre has been demanding and has created a circus for the past three offseasons (which talking heads have criticized him sharply for); but we're comparing apples to oranges here. Favre, whether folks want to admit it or not, has earned his way; and he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. PLUS it only took him one season to get the Vikes one play away from the first Super Bowl they would have been in since the ’70’s. The problem is that the Vikings gave in to his circus.
Let’s say Donovan McNabb, a Black quarterback, had the same issue as Haynesworth. I think that would be apples to apples, because of the dynamic of race which has entered the discussion. McNabb is the consummate professional and leader who’s gotten results through numerous trips to the NFC Championship plus a Super Bowl trip. If McNabb felt that he had a lucrative deal with unfair demands on the table, I would say that he has enough credibility to put up an argument. It seems that the McNabbs of the world, however, have an understanding of several cliches--"The more money, the more problems", "To whom much is given, much is expected", "With great power comes great responsibility", etc. I also believe that people of McNabb's character understand what a rare and beautiful opportunity exists in putting on an NFL uniform.
Maybe it wouldn't be fair to tell Haynesworth to take the money and shut up, but he has been afforded the rare opportunity to work in one of the world's most unique and admired fields--professional sports. What is a mere dream to men who have only a high school memory of that time they kept Albert Haynesworth from getting any sacks, is a high-profile and financially rewarding career for Haynesworth. I'm an intelligent and a very talented guy who gets excited when I negotiate a mere $500 for a gig. What the hell is Haynesworth complaining about?
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