Former Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth says he almost lost his life to multiple brain aneurysms last November.
"Nobody really knows, I almost died," Haynesworth said on Nashville radio Thursday, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN. "I had two brain aneurysms that were nearly rupturing. I went and talked to my doctor in Florida, and he was like, 'Man, your blood pressure is through the roof. I'm going to admit you.' They did a lot of tests and found the aneurysm that was rupturing at that point."
The two-time Pro Bowler underwent surgery and was forced to spend 11 days in a Florida hospital recovering. Haynesworth has since noticed that his cognitive ability is not what it used to be, alluding to past concussions as well as the aneurysms.
"I've been OK. It's really hard to remember, and I'm not saying that just because of the concussion thing," he said. "A lot of things, I just can't remember. I don't feel as sharp as I used to as far as problem-solving and answering questions and things.
"It sounds crazy, but sometimes, writing my own name, I kind of forget the signature of how I normally write. Or sending long texts, my words get backwards. It's crazy, but hopefully as time goes on, I get better."
Haynesworth rose to prominence after receiving a seven-year, $100-million contract from the Redskins during the 2009 offseason. On the heels of two dominant seasons with the Titans, in which he amassed 14.5 sacks, he flopped in Washington and is still considered one of the biggest free-agent busts in NFL history.
He finished his career in 2011.
