Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
August 5, 2010, Washington Post

What you can learn from Haynesworth

Most fans think of Albert Haynesworth as a defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins. I think he's a great teacher. What has happened to Haynesworth this past year with the Redskins can teach kids important lessons, both in and out of sports.

Haynesworth was an all-pro player for the Tennessee Titans who signed a big contract with Washington before the 2009 football season. But Haynesworth looked out of shape last season and did not play like an all-pro for the Redskins.

Now, no-nonsense Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, is the new Redskins head coach. Haynesworth does not seem happy with Shanahan or his plans for the team.

Haynesworth refused to participate with the team in early workouts. He said he was getting in shape for the 2010 season on his own. Now that Redskins training camp has begun, Haynesworth can't pass a conditioning test they give all the players.

So what are the lessons Professor Haynesworth can teach kids? Here are a few.

First, being good in the past is no guarantee you will be good in the future. Haynesworth was terrific for the Titans in 2008, but that didn't guarantee he would be as good for the Redskins. It's the same with kids. Let's say you were an "A" student last year. That doesn't mean you'll get all A's this year. A new school year is like a new football season: You will have to earn your marks all over again.

The second lesson is to keep working. The difference between being the best and being average in sports, or in school, can be very small. The best players -- and the best students -- keep working and keep getting better every day. Once an athlete or a student stops working hard, someone else is sure to take the lead.

Finally, listen to your coaches. You may think you have a better way of doing something, but coaches (and teachers) are smart, too. They usually know the best way for a player or a student to improve. Haynesworth wanted to work out on his own and not with the Redskins and their coaches. Now, he can't pass a simple test to see whether he is in shape for the 2010 season.

See, Haynesworth is a good teacher. What the Redskins need now is for Haynesworth to be a good football player.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's sports opinion column and is the author of 15 books, including his latest baseball book, "Throwing Heat."

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