ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Football Team fined quarterback Dwayne Haskins and removed him from the role of team captain three days after he was captured in photographs at an event with strippers without wearing a mouthpiece, said coach Ron Rivera .
Sources have told ESPN that the sum of the fine was $ 40,000.
“The most important thing is that we are making him responsible for his actions and (Dwayne) has been punished and he accepted,” Rivera said. “In our project, that’s what we’re looking for, that if you make a mistake, you have to acknowledge it and take responsibility.”
Despite the incident, there is a chance that Haskins will continue as the Washington starter (6-8), who will host the Carolina Panthers (4-10) on Sunday. Alex Smith didn’t train because of the sprain he suffered in the calf and that made him work just throwing passes while his teammates warmed up.
“I know my team needs me. I need to go to the batting box and I can’t be selfish, I have to stop thinking only of myself,” Haskins said. “I try to be a better partner and be more responsible and so fix the problems that brought me to this point.”
Last Sunday, Haskins attended his girlfriend’s birthday party at a hotel and was attended by strippers. It was the second time Haskins violated protocols for COVID-19 this season. A few months ago, the quarterback made a reservation for a friend of his family at the team hotel the night before a game against the New York Giants.
“I know I didn’t have to put my team at risk. I shouldn’t have been there (the party). We were over 10 people without wearing mouthguards and that’s a rape no matter where it happens,” Haskins acknowledged.
Rivera said Monday afternoon that he was the target of the posts and immediately contacted Haskins. The coach has indicated that they asked Haskins to go to the team’s facilities to receive the test for virus detection and that the team has been in constant contact with the NFL.
“We’re still extremely disappointed with the decision Dwayne made, I’m glad he told me the truth and was honest about the situation,” Rivera said.
Haskins apologized to his teammates and participated with the first team in Wednesday’s practice.
“I feel it was a sincere apology. As colleagues, our job, no matter how disappointed we are, is to try to help and support him as our partner,” Smith said. We all make mistakes and have situations we have to deal with. There are no trials here. “
Washington also gave reps in practice to Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez, who were activated last week with Smith out of action.
Haskins, who like his teammates has been tested for viruses on a daily basis, has to train with mouthguards and a helmet bar with something special. He will participate in the meetings virtually.
The pin says it was hard to talk about the situation publicly.
“When you make a mistake, you have to be able to admit it. That’s what I had to do,” he noted.
Rivera said that after consulting with the NFL, part of the plan includes having Haskins undergo two tests daily and in practice, he should socially distance himself as much as possible and he should attend virtually every meeting in those summoned to him.
Haskins has two years left to fulfill his rookie contract and is not guaranteed to stay in Washington next season, after there were doubts about how he prepared the week before the first of his four games. as a starter, a feeling that left the team also last season.