Breaking News: Albert Haynesworth Suspended for 4 Games

According to a statement released during the Donovan McNabb Show on local station ESPN980 94.3FM, Albert Haynesworth has been suspended for the remainder of the season.

The following comment is a press release from Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan:

“Despite the club’s numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time. Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations.  He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well. 

“Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskins Park, he told our General Manager Bruce Allen that he [Haynesworth] would no longer speak with me [Coach Shanahan].  Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative.”

Much of this is causing radio personalities Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro to speculate if this is the final straw in the Haynesworth saga, and if the allegations that Haynesworth missed practice and meetings on Friday due to a hangover are true.

There is no proof that Haynesworth was hung over and he has denied that as the cause. He also blew up at the Redskins organization in that same statement, calling them "haters."

The suspension and verbiage of the statement make it appear as though the Redskins organization are attempting to make a push to gain ground in a breach of contract suit and get some of the guaranteed money that was paid to Haynesworth, approximately $40 million, returned for his limited production.

Haynesworth is expected to appeal the suspension.