Dear Editor,
The idea that someone suffering from an injury should lock themselves away and cease to live their life is not only unreasonable but downright absurd.
Recently, Tevaughn “Peter Redz” Harriet, a former national football player, has been subjected to cruel and unfounded accusations simply because he was seen dancing at Carnival despite his serious knee injury.
The suggestion that this means he is faking his injury or scamming people is not just preposterous—it’s defamatory.
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Injury does not equate to a life sentence of isolation. A person’s physical condition does not strip them of the right to seek joy and normalcy where they can find it.
Mr. Harriet’s decision to participate in Carnival, likely as a rare escape from the pain and stress of his injury, should be seen as an act of resilience, not deceit.
The fact that some have twisted this into an accusation of fraud speaks more to their ignorance than to any reality of Mr. Harriet’s situation.
It is crucial that we, as a community, do not fall into the trap of assuming the worst of others based on a single moment captured on camera.
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Accusations of fraud are serious and can have devastating consequences. Spreading such baseless claims without understanding the full context is not just irresponsible—it’s harmful.
Those who engage in spreading these falsehoods should be reminded that defamation is a serious matter, with real legal consequences. Mr. Harriet has every right to seek justice against those who have wronged him in this way.
Injury should not strip someone of their dignity, their joy, or their right to live. It’s time we stand up against such reckless and damaging rhetoric and show support for those who, like Mr. Harriet, are simply trying to navigate a difficult path with strength and grace.
Sincerely,
Sue GayTruth
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I can agree with most of what you wrote, and yes it should not confine you to isolation. One should be able to enjoy the festival but dancing like that makes people question the seriousness of the injury. The last time I saw this dude which was not very long ago, he was sitting in a wheelchair. So seeing him dancing this way call to question the seriousness of the injury.
I take leave to suggest that Mr. Harriette would have paid in pain for making his decision to bring some joy into his life.
I can speak from personal experience, having two bad knees myself, loving soca as much as I do, from time to time I take the ensuing pain to enjoy a dance to my favourite tune. To have others say derogatory things and suggest that he should not continue to get help to alleviate his condition is downright nasty. I appeal to all right thinking persons who would want to assist a young man regain mobility without constant pain to lease ‘be your brother’s keeper’ and contribute.
I would not go as far as to say he is faking his injury, but he can not expect John Q Public to take his injury more seriously that he does. Im certain that he was told that minimal exertion on the knee would be preferable to minimize the risk of further or worsening damage. As a matter of fact, the recommendations for exercise would be swimming.
@Prophet to this statement, “Im certain that he was told that minimal exertion on the knee would be preferable to minimize the risk of further or worsening damage.”
This is exactly why he can’t play the sport he loves and the same sport that injured him though… while in a contract with an association that’s responsible to get him back to the condition he was in when they recruited him to the national team. The problem isn’t dancing vs swimming… the problem is, since 2018, the ABFA has not yet complied with a contractual agreement. Had they done so, by now he would be playing football and enjoying carnival without scrutiny, now isn’t it?
The wrong party is being attacked… why isn’t anyone paying attention to the root of the problem??
Below I will post my original comment to his previous post “Tevaughn “Peter Redz” Harriet Addresses Defamatory Remarks…”
Also, I do agree with the Original Poster here in this letter to editor.
See below:
You can consider it my letter to public and ABFA.
Hear this, anyone who is negative… there’s a difference between a typical meniscus repair where it’s used from a cadaver or synthetic, and one an ATHLETE needs. The entire goal is to be well enough to play again. Many players are currently hurt here in Antigua from 1st division, Premier League, and the national team.
ABFA HAS NOT always taken care of them the way they are committed to doing so, contractually.
Also, due to head of ABFAs own personal/ health reasons (that we must respect) funds haven’t even been retrieved from FIFA due to his absence and funds are owed to players since middle to late last season! Each team/ owner/ manager can only tell the player it’s not their fault, that they’re waiting on ABFA to get it from FIFA. If he returned from sick leave, then funds should’ve been requested long time. it’s been 1 month now since he returned? At least… & I know things take time but even if the current players wanted to use the money to help themselves in every day life responsibility or to pay a Doctor since ABFA is failing to support their health issues (not all teams bc some have better sponsors than others) then these guys have to work their day jobs even harder with said injuries in order to even get minimal care. Going to the hospital is not always the answer. I’m in Healthcare and will tell you the Ortho private physicians and physiotherapy are needed for athletes and it costs! Whether it’s the ones on island or abroad.
If he wasn’t an athlete and didn’t desire to return to the field, he could settle for any old repairs as typical people will fare fine. However, treatments abroad involve a replacement plus stem cell treatment to aid in his body regenerating and maintaining a strong (almost like new) meniscus and lateral collateral ligament.
Stop talking about him as if he’s your uncle asking the public for help, then out partying. He has income of his own and I’m sure it’s more than plenty for a legal team here, as it’s a nominal cost too retain counsel, compared to $182k needed at one moment in time. He is asking for help as the ABFA is responsible to pay that and they have NOT.
He was injured on duty, playing for this nation and if he was repaired to optimal ability, then he can return to what he’s good at. Without such, any old cadaver meniscus can deteriorate again.
These players, not just Redz, who are patiently waiting on ABFA to pay them and get them to optimal health and they have good intentions, their original intention, which is to play ball! Barely providing them subpar health assistance is wasteful, as it leads to further injuries, more costs, plus the ones playing WITH their injuries… how do you think that affects the outcome of their scores? Perhaps, ifff ABFA gets their act together and treat players from the top to bottom with the divinity and respect they deserve and provide for them as you once vowed to do and Antigua would have teams worth boasting about… look at how much tickets cost around the world for national teams and football clubs who are actually good!? $2k usd a season!
Listennnn & that’s just for a FC!
HELLO… ABFA and Antigua minister of Sports… wake up… bring revenue to Antigua via sports, like cricket has done. Bring the revenue and these players won’t have these health issues or no pay for what’s it been about 5 months now…??
The math is not mathing when it comes to Antigua lately! Make it make sense!
Tourism has seasons and has it’s place in building revenue, but sports and even racing can fill the gaps. These events can bring people in who travel to see such things as sports and cars. Build it up… too many ignorant people are bashing someone who has the guts and balls to make it known the discrepancies with ABFA and THAT’S WHO you all should be questioning, stalking and asking what they’re doing with their money! Not the other way around!
If anything, Redz staying active is the least. Walking, dancing is the least. T shirt mas is one of the shortest events, too… most people get there at 6 pm, though it starts at 3, and it is supposed to finish at 7 pm but went to what 8 or 9 maybe! So what’s 3 hours of “respite” of walking and dancing? That’s none of your concern… it’s not hard-core football!
Drink water and MIND your business…
Now, do I think it’s foolishness ppl spend hundreds or really thousands to do every event or even just 1 fete it can cost 1000 EC by the time they get their ticket, outfit, hair done, etc, then these ppl either have no car or if they have a nice car it’s parked outside a tiny woodboard house and THEN they need tax free weeks or government help for school supplies… yes, that’s insane and foolishness that keeps ppl stagnant!
But that has nothing to do with REDZ… He has income, has a legal team, can afford T-shirt mass band fee… we are talking about a NATIONAL ATHLETE, and 182k EC is what ABFA is responsible for. It’s a totally different conversation that ABFA needs to stop avoiding a comment on! Because many of the ABFA team players are waiting to see when you’re going to get your act together with pay and providing healthcare or insurance so players can go get in good health to play FOR YOU!
I’m over it. Y’all focusing on the wrong Damn thing. 🙄😮💨
As this new season for football ⚽️ players begins, let’s only hope they get the pay, the physical therapy or surgery they need and better yet, continued assistance! It would be nice to see no gaps in pay or making players play who are injured! Let’s hope this season has stronger, better players (same ones who can be repaired) and perhaps one day Antigua can have something to be proud of… because the debauchery, the nakedness and all recent crimes in the streets was not it, the Olympics was not it (sorry but maybe in 4 years…), let’s see ABFA step up their game so their players can do the same! 🏆
Thanks, Redz, for not just speaking out for yourself, but players who have also done nothing wrong but play for an association that does not give them even the bare minimum that they deserve!!! 😮💨🫡
Knee injuries can be serious and devastating injuries.
I remember seeing this man in a wheelchair not too long ago and hearing how he may not walk again.
I was advocating for him seeing him in that condition.
He has every right to enjoy himself and his life.
But if he is going to be jumping up in Carnival band on the same knees I was just assuming he already got treatment and is better. And hence I can advocate for the next person with a knee injury.
He was the one that post that article about the importance of his surgery and insinuating by having the football in the wheelchair as it could be him if he doesn’t get it..that was so wrong.. you can’t have your cake and eat it to, you are begging people for help, act accordingly… cha!!!
Dude raises alot of red flags with both his behavior and words….. I’m willing to bet that he was the one who penned that letter. The last time I saw or heard about him he was in a wheelchair and insinuated that without the surgery that was his future…. suddenly he’s capable and can safely revel because his injury doesn’t remove such from his life.
Good luck to him on all of that
Please give him the benefit of the doubt. I understand the public may have questions after seeing him at carnival but I think this explanation makes sense.
Frankly, I think he is being honest but was just tired of sitting around and wanted to take his mind away from the pain.
I saw a video of practically crippled man going to carnival in Brooklyn and wobbling when he attempted to stand to dance with a young lady and I could see he was struggling to stand but he did and the lady danced with him and if she did not take her time with him, he would be knocked to the ground how shaky he was. But I was over joyed to see this wheelchair bound man enjoyed himself outside and out of his chair.
The type of injury this former player had is not one that make him not mobile, at this time, I strongly recommends he enjoys these moments before it gets worse.
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