Haynesworth issued a statement Wednesday saying he will report for training camp after staying away from the Washington Redskins all offseason trying to force a trade despite being paid a $21 million bonus in April.
"Despite my current differences with the Redskins, I have always planned to attend training camp and honor my contract," Haynesworth said in a statement released Wednesday through his agent.
The disgruntled two-time All Pro defensive tackle has stayedaway from all offseason activities, including last week's mandatoryminicamp, because he is unhappy with the team's switch to a 3-4defense and wants to be traded.
Someone's Gotta Go
The bottom line is that Albert Haynesworth and Mike Shanahan won't be able to function together in Washington -- and this is a test of wills Shanahan can't afford to lose, writes Matt Mosley. Blog
The Redskins offered him a chanceto find another team -- until he collected a $21 million bonus onApril 1, the latest installment in the seven-year, $100 millioncontract he signed last year.
"As I have previously said, I am continuing to prepare for theseason individually and will report on time, in shape and ready toplay football," the statement said. "Any issues I have with theclub I will discuss privately and therefore do not plan to make anyfurther public comments about this matter."
Off the field, the defensive tackle faces three lawsuits and other legal filings.
A Tennessee bank is suing him for not paying a $2.38 million loan. His ex-wife, Stephanie, is back in court charging him with not paying her health insurance or their children's bills. A Tennessee man, Corey Edmonson, has his parents caring for him with his lawsuit pending charging Haynesworth with wrecking his car in 2008.
Then there's the exotic dancer, Silvia Mena, suing Haynesworth in New York saying he got her pregnant.
"He thinks he's above everything," his ex-wife said Wednesday. "He feels like he's entitled. He's narcissistic. It's very frustrating to go to someone constantly and ask them repetitively to do the things they're already supposed to be doing."
Attorneys representing Haynesworth in the Edmonson case and his divorce did not return messages from The Associated Press on Wednesday. An attorney in the bank lawsuit could not be located. His ex-wife said Haynesworth was out of the country, and his agent declined to comment.
Haynesworth's promise to attend training camp was issued through his agent's office following the negative publicity he has received on the field.
Money, of course, also is a factor. Haynesworth would be in danger of losing some of the guaranteed money in his contract if he were to boycott training camp, as opposed to the maximum fine of about $10,000 for missing minicamp.
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The way his legal cases are stacking up, he may need to hold onto a good chunk of his money to pay attorneys' fees.
Edmonson's attorney is preparing for trial in the lawsuit filed in May 2009. Edmonson's lawsuit accuses Haynesworth of driving his black Ferrari "like a maniac" when he sent the man's car crashing into the concrete median of an interstate highway on Dec. 13, 2008.
Now 26, Edmonson needed a hip replaced, and his attorney said the man is permanently disabled and moved back in with his parents who help care for him. Edmonson is asking for $7.5 million in compensatory damages and punitive damages that are no less than 25 percent of Haynesworth's guaranteed money from his Redskins' deal.
"Haynesworth has not voluntarily accepted any responsibility for this accident," attorney Jon Perry said in an e-mail Monday before declining to comment on Haynesworth's other legal cases.
Haynesworth's divorce was finalized in January, and his ex-wife defended herself, saying she didn't receive alimony or lump sum payment in the settlement. But her attorney filed Monday in Williamson County Chancery Court in Tennessee to change the final decree and the parenting plan for their two children.
Then there is Haynesworth's bank problems.
Clayton Bank & Trust filed a lawsuit Friday in Knox County Chancery Court accusing Haynesworth of taking out a $2.38 million loan in June 2009. The loan agreement was extended, but the bank charges the former University of Tennessee star failed to make payments. An attorney representing the bank confirmed papers had been served on Haynesworth, but he has no attorney of record yet in that case.
The attorney for the exotic dancer who sued Haynesworth in Brooklyn Supreme Court on May 26, said Wednesday that Haynesworth was served with the lawsuit two weeks ago in Tennessee.
Haynesworth has not been a fan favorite with the Redskins.
Since signing his contract last year, he has been criticized for his lack of production on the field and lately for his refusal to take part in the Redskins' minicamps under new coach Mike Shanahan. The disapproval only increased after he collected a $21 million bonus April 1.
Several teammates called him "selfish" when he skipped last week's mandatory minicamp, and it will be intriguing to see how he is received if he indeed reports for training camp, which begins July 29.
"It's hard to say. He's got some fences to mend, especially on the defensive side of the ball," center Casey Rabach said last week. "That defensive line, it's a close room, they've been working their butt off the last couple of months and for Albert just to be on a hiatus, that hurts."
Haynesworth can be very generous at times. He surprised about two dozen of Washington's support staff, trainers and equipment workers with high-definition TVs last season.
But, according to his Redskins teammates, Haynesworth often goes about life with a me-first attitude.
"We know Albert's going to do what he wants to do," Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. "Whether it's going to benefit him, benefit the team, or if it's a stupid idea or a good idea, he's going to do what he's going to do. It's kind of hard to change his mind."
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