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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kick-start the fines for Haynesworth


Titans Albert Haynesworth argues after being ejected.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was ejected early in the third quarter Sunday after he kicked Dallas center Andre Gurode in the face. Now the tackle expects to be punished and knows he deserves it.

“What I did out there was disgusting,” Haynesworth said. “It doesn’t matter what the league does to me. The way I feel right now, you just can’t describe it.”

Julius Jones had just scored on a 5-yard run, putting Dallas up 20-6 in what wound up as a 45-14 victory. Gurode’s helmet came off, and Haynesworth, standing over him, used his right foot to kick Gurode in the head.

Gurode said they hadn’t been talking or having any exchanges that led to Haynesworth kicking him twice. He received stitches above his forehead and beneath his eye.

“In all my years of football, this has never happened to me. I’ve never been kicked in the face like this, and I’ve never seen anybody kick nobody else in the face,” Gurode said.

A flag was thrown, and Haynesworth followed an official toward the Titans’ sideline, protesting.

Haynesworth pulled off his helmet and slammed it to the ground, prompting another flag. Referee Jerome Boger disqualified Haynesworth, and the player walked off the field after talking briefly with Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

The coach called Haynesworth’s actions unacceptable and promised he would be punished by the Titans even if the NFL disciplines him.

“It’s ridiculous to get to that point. Two back-to-back penalties like that, there’s no place for it,” Fisher said.

Harrison passes Reed on career receptions

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison moved past Andre Reed and into fourth place on the NFL’s career receptions list with his 952nd catch.

He passed Reed with a 14-yard reception, his third catch of the game, 37 seconds into the third quarter against the New York Jets.

Harrison also tied Marshall Faulk’s NFL record for most consecutive games with a reception to start a career, catching a pass in his 158th straight game. He tied the mark with a 12-yard reception just before the 2-minute warning in the second quarter.

Harrison entered the game 10th on the career list with 12,665 career yards receiving, behind Art Monk (12,721) and Irving Fryar (12,785).

The 11-year veteran’s next quest is to become the fourth player in league history with 1,000 catches. The other three are Jerry Rice (1,549), Cris Carter (1,101) and Tim Brown (1,094).

Davis injured on kickoff

Detroit Lions guard Frank Davis was taken off the field on a truck after he injured his neck on the opening kickoff of the second half in Detroit’s game against the Rams.

Davis was taken to a hospital, but had movement in his arms and legs, Rams spokesman Rick Smith said.