In the midst of the start of the high school football season here in Iowa, several eye-opening stories flew under the radar this weekend. Today, we’ll read about a coach vs. player showdown, a nationally popular sports columnist quitting his job, a new A.D. becoming comfortable in his new job, and allegations of workplace bullying that led to a suicide.
And that doesn’t include Jay Mariotti being arrested and possibly losing his gig on ESPN‘s Around the Horn.
-Sally Jenkins, Washington Post: Jenkins writes about the continuing saga between disgruntled Washington Redskins defensive player Albert Haynesworth and coach Mike Shanahan, after Haynesworth complained after Saturday’s night pre-season game about having to play with the second-string in the second half.
Karen Crouse, New York Times: Pat Haden is starting to enjoy his new role as athletic director at U.S.C., amid the football program being put on probation.

Tully Corcoran, Topeka Capital-Journal: popular and controversial sportswriter Jason Whitlock has decided to leave the Kansas City Star, but not without some fireworks and accusations on the way out, via a radio interview on KCSP 610-AM and Metro Sports. Here is the exclusive radio interview between Whitlock and Nick Wright.
Ray Sanchez, ABC News: Kevin Morrissey, managing editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review, committed suicide on August 1st. Was workplace bullying the cause of his death?