That Man Again

Matt Schaub speaks: Albert Haynesworth crushed my foot, a return "doesn't lookgood"

It happened on the simplest of plays — a play that didn't really mean anything in the big scheme of the football game.

This fact obviously annoys Matt Schaub. Speaking for the first time since the foot injury that is expected to end his season — and severely cripple the 7-3 Houston Texans chances of doing anything Super big this season — the one player the Texans could not afford to lose made that clear.

"It's hard to really put into words," Schaub said on his rescheduled (for an MRI) weekly paid appearance on 610 AM Tuesday evening. "I'm extremely frustrated, one. I'm pretty bummed that this happened — to put it lightly. Especially on such a small play. A quarterback sneak backed up on our own goal-line. I wish it would have been like me diving over the top of the pile to get in the end zone. Then, it would have meant a little bit more."

The man who crushed Schaub's foot? None other than Albert Haynesworth — the massive, try 6-foot-6, well north of 350 pounds — who the Bucs only signed off waivers days before.

For Schaub, it only meant the end of a potential dream season. If you're one of the ever believers holding out hope that Schaub will come strolling into the huddle for some miraculous playoff comeback . . . well, the man himself isn't exactly encouraging that fantasy.

"Of course I'm holding out hope," Schaub said. "Of course I am. I'm not one to give into something like this that easily. It doesn't look good.

"My foot's pretty much the size of a cinder block right now."

Schaub also said that if he has to have surgery, it's pretty much a given that would be season ending considering how late it is in the year. The quarterback is still going to see two renowned foot specialists (in Indianapolis and Charlotte), almost hoping against hope that another course of action can be found to help the broken bones in the middle of his foot heal without surgery.

The man who crushed that foot? None other than Albert Haynesworth — the massive, try 6-foot-6, well north of 350 pounds, defensive tackle — who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only signed off waivers days before facing the Texans. The same Haynesworth who delighted in knocking Schaub out of two games in 2007 when he played for the Tennessee Titans.

As a Titan, Haynesworth once bragged, "I think (Schaub's) scared of us." He also called Schaub overpaid.

On Sunday, Haynesworth ended up landing on Schaub's foot at the bottom of the pile. And his old team — the 5-4 Titans — is suddenly very much back in the playoff race.

Now, Schaub was quick to say on the radio that Haynesworth's foot crushing was "not something that was deliberate." But it's enough to make one wonder.

"I know who it was," Schaub said. "I know exactly who it was."

So there you have it. Schaub's season likely ended on a quarterback sneak that wasn't designed to do anything but move the Texans a little farther from their own goal-line under the gigantic force of a player who wasn't even on the other team the week before, a player who has pretty much admitted he hates the quarterback.

Feel worse yet?

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings