We all know it exists. Whether you’ve been a victim or a witness, bullying happens every day in all parts of the world.
As evident by the recent allegations between NFL athletes, Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, bullying can occur in a multitude of situations , in this case it being between two grown men.
Richie Dominick Incognito is a current NFL player who has had his fair share of success in the National Football League.
A nine year veteran playing for multiple teams in his career, Incognito has never been the one to shy away from media attention. Incognito has garnered attention over the years for perceived dirty play amongst NFL players, coaches, and fans.
He has been alleged to have gouged players’ eyes, punched players, and made illegal tackles on a regular basis.
In due part, Incognito was voted by his fellow colleagues as the dirtiest player in the NFL in 2009 according to a Sporting News poll.
But this time around, Incognito has allegedly taken his clown act too far. On November 3rd, Mike Garafolo reported on Fox Sports 1 that Incognito is alleged to have sent Miami Dolphins teammate Jonathan Martin threatening and racially charged messages.
Soon after, ESPN reporter, Adam Schefter, reported proclamations from an unnamed source that the team and the league were now in possession of highly disturbing texts and voicemails in which Incognito used a racial slur against Martin, and alarming text and voice exchanges including a reference to tracking down members of Martin’s family and harming them as well as threatening to kill Martin.
Incognitos actions were too much for Martin, whom eventually left the team with reports stating that he feared for his life feeling that leaving the team was the best solution.
A professional athlete who goes into work and does his job every day, now fears for his life because of a negative culture that was allowed to weaken a professional environment and flourish inside a locker room. Incognito freely threw a racial epithet directly towards Martin, simultaneously disrespecting a group of people with a word that contains so much hate.
Incognito has dealt with his fair share trouble in the past that has been overlooked simply because he has talent. But this situation cannot be neglected. Richie cannot get away with this volatile act that can clearly be classified as a felony if true.
Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Incognito already had a checkered past in college and in the league. Incognito has damaged the image of the NFL and violated the league’s personal conduct policy and the punishment should figure to be severe meriting an arrest and a hefty jail sentence.
The NFL needs to make an example of this affair or else they will continue to advocate bullying in not only A professional environment but in everyday life as well.
It’s uncertain if and when Martin will return to the Dolphins. At this point is mental and physical health is the most important issue. But there should be nothing “incognito” about Richie’s future in the NFL.
