We have unfortunate news, as former NFL defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is dealing with a serious health issue. Haynesworth is battling kidney disease, and he recently took to Instagram to announce he was in desperate need of a transplant, per Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports. Haynesworth posted a caption that reads as follows:
“Some of you may know I’ve been battling kidney disease for a few years now the time has come family, friends and fans I’m in dire need of a kidney mine have finally failed me on July 7 2019. It’s hard to believe from being a professional athlete to only 8 season in retirement that my body has taken another major blow. First with the brain aneurism (sic) 3 seasons out of the NFL to now my kidneys failing me. But the bright side of this latest ordeal I can ask for help by asking for someone to generously donate a kidney. If you are interested in giving this precious gift please call Vanderbilt at 615-936-0695 and hit option 2. GOD BLESS thank you for your prayers and thanks for sharing this message.”
Haynesworth entered the league as a first-round pick of the Titans back in 2002, and became one of the league’s best defensive tackles. He was a back to back first-team All-Pro in 2007 and 2008. The Tennessee product played ten seasons in the league before hanging them up following the 2011 campaign. All of us here at PFR wish Haynesworth the best and send him our thoughts.
Here’s more from around the league:
- There’s been a lot of talk about a proposed 18-game schedule recently. Ever since it was leaked that owners planned to push for an extended schedule in the next round of CBA negotiations, there’s been a lot of pushback. In response to that pushback, the league is reportedly planning on pitching a plan for 18 games, but where players are only eligible for 16 of them. In order to guarantee players don’t have to play more than they currently are, each player would have to sit out at least two of his team’s games. In that hypothetical scenario players wouldn’t have to play more than they currently do, but they apparently aren’t buying it. Some people in the NFLPA are “suspicious of the idea of an 18-game schedule with only 16 games for players to be eligible, believing it will morph players playing all 18 some day,” according to veteran NFL reporter Jason Cole (Twitter link). It’s understandable why the union would be skeptical, as the idea of star quarterbacks being forced to sit out at least two of their team’s games likely wouldn’t last very long. In all likelihood, the schedule will stay the exact same in the next CBA.
- The XFL held its last showcase today, and some more notable names were in attendance. In addition to the presence of Connor Cook and Trent Richardson, which was previously reported, quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back David Cobb, tight end Clay Harbor, and defensive end Jacquies Smith were all in attendance, per Greg Auman of The Athletic (Twitter link). Mettenberger, who had a brief stint as the Titans’ starting quarterback a handful of years ago, was playing in the AAF before that upstart league folded. Cobb, Harbor, and Smith all had somewhat notable stints in the league.
- In case you missed it, Dak Prescott doesn’t plan on taking a hometown discount from the Cowboys.
Well the Cowboys should bid Prescott adieu! With that line I could complete 70% of my passes.
Nice picture
Either make the schedule 16 games or 18 games but don’t put a whole bunch of rules with it About players only playing certain games. Talk about confusion.
Could you imagine the saints being a borderline playoff team and the NFLPA calling Brees up and telling him he has to sit games 17 and 18? Haha forget about it… back to the drawing board for the 18 game structure. Best guess is that the prorated portion of the contract is extended, anything less the NFLPA losses once again. In fact, with all the health issues, NFLPA should demand a 10% premium on those extra games player.
You can keep your doctor if you like your doctor. These owners sound like politicians to get what they want. Right, so players are just going to randomly skip 2 games a year. Sounds worse then used car sales
I know Andrew is doing an excellent job but I feel disappointed that a player’s need for a kidney is deemed only slightly more important than talk of an 18 game schedule or an XFL showcase. Would have been a bit classier to list the Haynesworth story independent from that other stuff.
True. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t gone outside the country to resolve the kidney issue. 100M goes a long way unless he blew thru it.
Googling it, the results were pretty consistent at listing his net worth as $45 million. Still a lot of cash.
I doubt getting any kind of organ donation is as simple as being able to write a big cheque. Hopefully Albert and his family receive some good news very soon.
If he’s willing to fly to China he’ll have no problem.
And whilst I hesitate to criticize any contributor to this fine, free site (as I know you do Lemon), I agree on the stand alone story.
Jim Caldwell’s health issue was a stand alone story and that’s generally how these things are done here. We all make honesty mistakes and I guess this was just Andrew’s turn.