Former Redskins safety Su’a Cravens ripped the franchise Monday in a series of tweets for withholding his salary in 2017, writing he understands why left tackle Trent Williams “refuses to play for them now.”
Cravens, who was traded from Washington to Denver in March 2018, is seeking $651,408 from the Redskins and filed a non-injury grievance two years ago. In 2017, Cravens stepped away from the Redskins because he was dealing with post-concussion syndrome and a family matter. When Cravens tried to return, Washington placed him on the season-ending “reserve/left squad” list.
“(Two) years later and I’m still fighting the Skins on something they’ve continued to do countless time,” Cravens tweeted. “Which is why the best tackle in the game refuses to play for them now. Same reason I left. Mishandled injuries and withheld info. All evidence points to them being guilty!
“I will continue to fight this case and as the Skins continue to call countless irrelevant witnesses to buy time and hopefully wait me out from their due fate. I will not settle no matter how much the Skins drag their feet on this. They know they’re guilty!”
Cravens was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in September 2017, but the safety accused the Redskins of treating the injury as if it were “made up.” The NFLPA filed the grievance on Cravens’ behalf that same month.
2 years later and I’m still fighting the Skins on something they’ve continued to do countless time . Which is why the best tackle in the game refuses to play for them now. Same reason I left. Mishandled injuries and withheld info. All evidence points to them being guilty!
— Va-Cay 🌤🌴 (@iammsuzy) August 12, 2019
I will continue to fight this case and as the Skins continue to call countless irrelevant witnesses to buy time and hopefully wait me out from their due fate . I will not settle no matter how much the Skins drag their feet on this . They know they’re guilty!
— Va-Cay 🌤🌴 (@iammsuzy) August 12, 2019
Last year, Sports Illustrated detailed Cravens’ messy divorce from the Redskins, which included the safety being locked out of the building once he was shut down for the season.
Some of Cravens’ former teammates, such as D.J. Swearinger, accused Cravens of quitting on the Redskins when he decided to step away. “Anybody that steps down on me and my teammates, I am going to have a hard time accepting you back,” Swearinger said.
Cravens’ former agent first revealed the safety had been undergoing treatment for post-concussion syndrome in December 2017, adding Cravens had been cleared to resume football activities. A 2016 second-round pick out of USC, Cravens has suffered multiple concussions throughout his football career, including in college and during his rookie season.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Cravens accused Washington of not entertaining the idea he had post-concussion syndrome.
“There was no argument,” Cravens told SI. “It was just, ’This is not a football injury. You were cleared by our guys, you sprung this on us and you walked away and you basically quit.’”
While the situations are vastly different, Williams is also reportedly upset with Washington’s medical staff over their handling of a benign tumor on his scalp. The seven-time Pro Bowler later needed surgery to get it removed. Williams is in the midst of a holdout and doesn’t appear likely to return to the Redskins any time soon.
On Twitter, Cravens said he won’t be intimidated and won’t back down over his grievance.
“The evidence in court shows your guilty actions,” Cravens said. “The lies and mixed stories your witness provided have all been proven false. Use the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) rules to your advantage all you want I will still win ! You will not!
“(Two years) and no interest added to what I’m rightfully due and no timetable as to when the Skins will be forced to pay me what they owe. I’m willing to fight until the end. I thank the players who have experienced this with this team first hand that have called them on it!”
The Redskins declined comment.
During the time I was put on the exempt list the Skins went out of their way to cut my insurance off, froze my payments, refuse to pay me and even recoup pay. All for a very real injury that THEY decided was made up. Which is why people fear being hurt in the league.
— Va-Cay 🌤🌴 (@iammsuzy) August 12, 2019
I will not be intimated nor will this go away anytime soon Skins. The evidence in court shows your guilty actions. The lies and mixed stories your witness provided have all been proven false . Use the CBA rules to your advantage all you want I will still win ! You will not! 💯
— Va-Cay 🌤🌴 (@iammsuzy) August 12, 2019
2 years and no interest added to what I’m rightfully due and no timetable as to when the Skins will be forced to pay me what they owe. I’m willing to fight until the end. I thank the players who have experienced this with this team first hand that have called them on it!
— Va-Cay 🌤🌴 (@iammsuzy) August 12, 2019
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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