Patriots cut DT Albert Haynesworth
Less than a week after New York Giants lineman David Diehl overpowered Albert Haynesworth throughout the third quarter last Sunday, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have cut ties with their struggling defensive tackle. Just two years after Haynesworth signed his $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins, he started this year with New England making $1.5 million and now finds himself cut from his third team in four seasons. Belichick explained that the release was “rotation related’ and not due to Haynesworth’s nagging injuries this season. Reports from various sources have stated that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles all have interest. Teams have until this afternoon to claim the defensive tackle off waivers otherwise he becomes a free agent and the Patriots must pay the rest of his one year contract.
Boxing legend Joe Frazier dies
Just two months after being diagnosed with liver cancer, former boxer Joe Frazier has died of the disease. Frazier and Muhummed Ali’s fights back in the 1970s are still regarded as some of the greatest in boxing history, culminating in the famous “Thrilla in Manilla” where the two warriors battled each other to the brink of exhaustion. Upon hearing the news of his one time rival’s death, Ali said “The world has lost a great champion” adding that he will “always remember Joe with respect and admiration.” Frazier finished his boxing career officially with 34 wins, 27 by knockout and just four losses. The International Boxing Research Organization has rated Frazier as one of the ten greatest heavyweights of all time. He is a member of both the International and World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Support offered for Joe Paterno
Support for legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is eroding in light of the recent developments in a sexual-abuse scandal involving a former assistant coach. Jerry Sandusky, who served as assistant coach from 1976-1999, was arrested on November 5 and charged with 40 counts of various sex crimes against young boys. The acts allegedly took place over the course of 1994-2009, and while Sandusky was still employed at Penn State. Paterno allegedly reported the crimes to Penn State athletic director Tim Curley, but chose not report the crimes to the police. Since these allegations have come to light, Paterno has been criticized for the way he went about handling the situation. The Patriot News of Harrisburg Penn. took out a full front-page ad yesterday, calling for the immediate resignation of Penn State President Graham Spanier, and also stated that this should be Paterno’s last season as coach. The 84-year-old Paterno currently has the FBS record for victories with 409 and is in his 46th year as head coach.
