The NFL made an unprecedented example of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for stomping on and kicking the head of former Colorado star Andre Gurode, and the Broncos said the league’s response was just.
“Inexcusable,” Denver coach Mike Shana- han said Monday of Haynesworth’s violent actions Sunday.
The NFL suspended Haynesworth for five games Monday for his outburst during a 45-14 victory by the Dallas Cowboys. Gurode, a center, lost his helmet when he was stomped on by Haynesworth, who was immediately thrown out of the game. Gurode received 30 stitches above his forehead and beneath an eye because of cuts left by the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth’s cleats.
Gurode plans to talk to his family about whether to press charges, his agent told Nashville, Tenn., police Monday.
The five-game suspension is the longest given to an NFL player for on-field behavior. The league said Monday the suspension was for flagrant unnecessary roughness. The suspension, which is without pay, is effective immediately. Haynesworth will be eligible to return Nov. 19 for the Titans’ game at Philadelphia.
“There is absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else, for the inexcusable action that occurred in yesterday’s Titans- Cowboys game,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
Shanahan said he was shocked by Haynesworth’s actions.
“He could have killed him,” Shanahan said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Denver players concurred.
“You just can’t do that stuff,” defensive tackle Gerard Warren said. “I don’t know what got in that dude’s head, but it was wrong. … I know offensive linemen can be nasty, but you can’t do that to people.”
Said safety John Lynch: “I know it sounds funny because we play a violent game, but there is a code of respect between players and he crossed the line. There is just no place in the game for it.”
Before Monday, the longest NFL suspension for on-field behavior was two games for Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Charles Martin for throwing Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the ground during a game Nov. 23, 1986. McMahon landed on his shoulder.
It’s the first suspension for on- field behavior since 2002, when Rodney Harrison, then with San Diego, was suspended one game for hitting Oakland’s Jerry Rice with his helmet. Earlier that season, Denver’s Kenoy Kennedy was suspended for a game for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chris Chambers of Miami.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
