Dallas Cowboy’s Andre Gurode Considering Criminal Charges

By Mark Hoerrner

He could have lost an eye. When Albert Haynesworth’s jagged cleats came down full force on his face, Andre Gurode simply closed his eyes and hoped for the best. The unprecedented, unprovoked attack during the Dallas Cowboys’ last game against the Tennessee Titans left Gurode with 30 stitches in his face above and below his eye. The National Football league and the Titans’ management immediately promised sanctions, and the NFL came back with a five-game suspension for Haynesworth.

But is it enough? The 6’6", 320-lb defensive back has apologized sincerely for his actions. He’s not tried to defend himself and has constantly said his actions were deplorable. But professional sports are still played in the real world and what Haynesworth did was a brutal attack on another human being.

The Associated Press is reporting that Gurode’s agent told the Metro Nashville Police Department that his client would be speaking with his family about whether or not charges should be pressed against Haynesworth. In fact, AP reports said that not only the Nashville Police but also the district attorney in Nashville contacted the Titans’ general counsel on Monday to offer assistance in prosecuting Haynesworth.

"The police department will assist Gurode if he desires to pursue that course of action," the MNPD said in a statement.

The MNPD said that it wanted to prosecute only if it had Gurode’s participation.

"In assault situations," the statement read, "an affirmative desire for prosecution and an acknowledgement of cooperation from the victim, in this case Gurode, are preferable before officers and prosecuting attorneys move forward with the development of a case. The Metropolitan Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office will continue assessing the totality of Sunday’s incident, including any non-criminal sanctions against Haynesworth, while awaiting word from Dallas."

The suspension Haynesworth received from the NFL is the longest handed down in 20 years – the longest suspension handed out previously was an incident in which Green Bay Packers lineman Charles Martin threw Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the ground. Martin was suspended for two games.

Haynesworth has a history of on-field violence, though most of it has been against his own teammates. At the University of Tennessee, he tousled with teammate Will Ofenheusle. Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer had to intervene when Haynesworth left the field and returned with a long metal pole and was headed after Ofenheusle. Later, when he had moved on to pro ball, he fought with Titans teammate Justin Hartwig, whom he kicked during the altercation. Further, Haynesworth had road rage charges dismissed against him this year.

It’s the brutality of the attack on Gurode that most players find offensive. In football, when a player’s helmet comes off, there’s an unwritten rule that you do everything possible to avoid contact with that player. In this situation, it seemed that Haynesworth sought out Gurode because his head was exposed.

"With the head uncovered, you don't go for that. You're not trying to kill anybody out there," Dallas nose tackle Jason Ferguson told the Associated Press.

Haynesworth’s coach, Jeff Fisher, said that this incident was vile regardless of his player’s past.

"I am shocked and appalled for this to take place regardless ... whether there have been behavioral issues in the past or not," Fisher said. "To me, there's no place for this type of condition on the field."