You Got It Wrong Albert, You Are A Slave

Albert Haynesworth is a professional football player for the Washington Redskins, and a slave.

Yes, I'm calling this black man a slave.

A slave of ignorance and self entitlement.

A little background here. Albert signed a contract to play football for the Redskins in 2009. It's a contract for a seven year period to the tune of $100 million dollars. To date he's been paid approximately $32 million dollars.

(As an aside, the point of this post isn't about the dollar amount he's being paid. More power to him for getting this dollar amount out of a stupid owner of this team. He's damn lucky I'm not the owner, nor am I a fawning fan of professional athletes, or any type of celebrity for that matter. But that's a different slant/topic for perhaps another day.)

So what does Albert do with this generous contract? He skips work, as in mandatory workouts. He showed up for training camp fat and out of shape. And now that the season has started, his play isn't worthy of minimum pay. He apparently can't understand why the Redskins are upset with him. He's upset that new "management", as in a new coach, has installed a new defensive scheme. One he doesn't like, nor wants to participate in.

He did a radio interview last Friday and here's what he said:


“I guess in this world we don’t have a lot of people with, like, backbones,” Haynesworth said. “Just because somebody pay you money don’t mean they’ll make you do whatever they want or whatever. I mean, does that mean everything is for sale?

“I mean, I’m not for sale. Yeah, I signed the contract and got paid a lot of money, but … that don’t mean I’m for sale or a slave or whatever.”

And no, grammar isn't his strong suit.

What Albert fails to realize is that he's paid to do a job and regardless of the amount of money involved, to the best of his ability. The Redskins are an enterprise just like many others who change management and directions to achieve success and profitability. This is a common practice in the real world of employment Albert. Management dictates the direction the company is going, employees work to achieve that.

And yes Albert, many companies make mistakes in the direction taken. But it's their company, and their money at stake, not yours. And you do have options Albert, just like any other employee who isn't happy with their job. No one is forcing you to do something you find repugnant. Unlike a true slave, you can quit. Actually Albert you have already quit, you just haven't left the company, so to speak.

Seriously Albert, as a $100 million dollar wage earner, you feel you're a slave? Just because you're asked to perform your job the way management wants, rather than the way you want? Welcome to the real world Albert. Every job I've had is one I liked over all. Every job involved doing a few things I didn't care for as well. 

That's life Albert. I'd suggest using a slice of your contract money to get an education. Then perhaps some day you'll be able to break the bond of slavery you inhabit. That being a slave to ignorance and self entitlement. Putting it simply Albert, get a effin clue.