Will Dwayne Haskins Pay for His ‘Unprofessional’ Selfie With the Starting Job?
The Washington Redskins can’t seem to get out of their own way. While the franchise has been floundering for years, this year seems to be one for the record books. The club has fired their head coach, misdiagnosed and mistreated their franchise player, and jerked their young quarterback around. Even when Dwayne Haskins got his first win yesterday, things still took a bizarre turn.
After missing the game’s final snap because he was taking a selfie with a fan, Haskins found himself in the firing line. Was his absence a youthful transgression or an unprofessional act that should cost him the starting job?
Dwayne Haskins’ season so far
Last April, the Washington Redskins selected Dwayne Haskins with the 15th overall pick. They didn’t make him any promises about playing time, though.
Haskins actually began the season as the franchise’s back-up, sitting behind Case Keenum. Jay Gruden insisted the club would be patient, only starting the rookie when he was ready; after Bill Callahan took over as head coach, he kept the same messaging intact. Everything would change in Week 9.
After Keenum suffered a concussion, Haskins stepped into the starting role; things didn’t exactly click. The young quarterback spent the bye week working with his offense and came out feeling ready and confident. That optimism, however, was dashed by the New York Jets.
While Haskins might not have filled up the stat sheet on Sunday, he led Washington’s comeback charge and picked up his first professional victory as a starter. After the game, though, the storyline centered on something else.
The selfie seen ’round the world
In the dying moments of Sunday’s game, the Washington offense headed onto the field to take a knee. Dwayne Haskins, however, was not leading them out; Case Keenum needed to fill in for the final snap.
Haskins was on the sideline, snapping a selfie with a fan; in the emotion of the moment, he lost track of the game clock. “I was so hyped, I broke a water bottle,” he explained. “I look up, and we’re in victory [formation]. I thought the game was over with already, but I’ll get it next time.”
Head coach Bill Callahan had a more measured response. “No, I don’t laugh at it,” he told reporters. “I’m happy we won. We’ll address that. I’m just pleased we won the game. I just have to find out.”
Former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann didn’t pull any punches, however. “How do miss the last snap of a game because ur taking selfies,” he tweeted. “That’s unprofessional & wrong.”
Should Dwayne Haskins lose the starting job?
Given their recent history of ineptitude, the last thing the Washington Redskins need to do is bench Dwayne Haskins. While his selfie might rub some fans and analysts the wrong way, it’s far from the most heinous act a football player has ever committed.
Dwayne Haskins is a young quarterback who’s been through a difficult year; it’s only natural for him to get caught up in the moment. Not only did his actions have no material impact on the game, but he was celebrating with the long-suffering Redskins fans. It’s not like he missed a snap because he was ignoring his coach or taunting the opposition.
While Haskins’ behavior was unprofessional, it’s more of an innocent mistake than anything else. In professional sports, plenty of players commit actual crimes and are welcomed back into the locker room; if the young quarterback suffers any severe repercussions, it will say more about the Washington Redskins than it will about him.
