Incognito and Martin: When Joking Becomes Bullying

Zoe Berling: What Went Wrong

Football is a sport where the players are expected to be both physically and mentally tough. However, where is the line between traditional hazing and personal attacks?


Richie Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the Miami Dolphins following allegations of misconduct. Jonathan Martin on the Miami Dolphins, decided to leave the team because he felt bullied. He identifies Richie Incognito as the source of his mistreatment.

Taken by Bob Brown for Jones News 2013. Martin, formally a tackler for the Miami Dolphins returned home for emotional refuge. 

According to various sources, the reason that Martin decided to leave the Dolphins was a prank gone too far. When Martin tried to join his team mates, they picked up their trays and left him sitting alone. Apparently Incognito was the mastermind behind this prank. But this isn't the most serious of Incognito's actions against Martin. A series of voicemails for Martin from Incognito have sparked controversy because of their threatening and racially charged content. In one, Incognito is heard threatening Martin's life. He also is quoted in using racial slurs in these messages.
The message, according to ESPN's sources:

 "Hey, wassup, you half (expletive) piece of (expletive). "I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. I'll (expletive) in your (expletive) mouth. I'm gonna slap your (expletive) mouth, I'm gonna slap your real mother across the face (laughter). (Expletive) you, you're still a rookie. I'll kill you."

Incognito could become the face of bullying in America

Chris Perkins points out in his blog that the Dolphins are taking Martin's side.  In suspending Incognito, they are basically saying that Martin was treated poorly.  By looking at Incognito's past, it is difficult for people to believe that he was just joking with his team mate. His history of aggression dates back to his college days. USA Today reported this week that he bullied his teammate until he stormed off the field. Incognito also was denied a spot on three different team during his career for various reasons. In 2009, he was voted “the dirtiest player” by The Sporting News in a poll of 99 players. All this information and more can be found in Eric Edholm's blog on Yahoo.com

Photo credit to Jane Greenberg of Getty Images 2013. Richie Incognito deals with the aftermath of the Martin's accusations

Paolo Bandini's opinion is that this incident brings light a the hazing problem that needs to be addressed by the NFL in general. Martin's case shows how this was taken too far.  Incognito and Martin's relationship shows a cultural problem within football that is hurtful to its players.


A$$hole or Scapegoat

Not everyone places all the blame on Incognito.  Lydon Murtha writes that while some of Incognito's actions were wrong, he is not at fault.  While the executives of the Dolphins are quick to place blame on Incognito, not all of his team mates think that he was a bully.  According to Armando Salguero, Richie was considered an honorary black, and therefore his racial slurs were meant as a sign of friendship, not aggression.