Jonathan Martin leaves the team for derogatory and offensive "locker room culture"
Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins
(Jane Greenberg/Getty Images)
There are many mixed emotions concerning the recent Miami Dolphins incident involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. Martin recently left the team after allegedly receiving hazing and bullying that went too far, saying he was unable to be a part of locker room culture that promotes such a harsh exchange of words. Incognito has been indefinitely suspended from the Dolphins because of this scandal.
Richie Incognito recently spoke with Jay Glazer about his actions.
Locker Room Culture
Incognito talks openly about his past as a selfish and intolerable teammate in the locker room. He acknowledges that his past actions were unsatisfactory, and claims he is a much better person now thanks to a lot of counseling and guidance from friends and family. He believes that his actions in the locker room were healthy and meant in good sportsmanship, and that Martin has blown the incident out of proportion. He even says that Martin was his best friend on the team and his actions were simply a product of NFL culture.
Incognito: "No matter how bad and how vulgar it sounds, that's how we communicate, that's how our friendship was."
Jonathan Martin has yet to speak publicly about this scandal
(Courtesy of the NFL)
"I am not a racist"
A big part of this story revolves around a racially charged voicemail that Incognito sent Martin one day. This, combined with the way Incognito talks in the locker room, has prompted many people to label Incognito as a racist.
However, Incognito has stated that he understands how his message may sound racist out of context, but that he is not and the message wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.
Something Needs To Change
The NFL has been in the news time and time again for stories about hazing and bullying. But Christopher Gasper from the Boston Globe has a message for the NFL and the public:
"Instead of questioning a culture that condones hazing, the reflex reaction of many immersed in that culture is to question the toughness of the alleged victim."
Globe is in favor of a complete makeover of the NFL policies and behaviors towards locker room bullying.
Defending Incognito
Many fans and teammates still stand by Incognito's side through this whole event. At games, some fans have even held up signs to show their support.
Miami Dolphins teammates are also standing by him, and wonder why Martin reacted so harshly.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is defending both the players, but his main question is how the incident has come this far. He says that the two players were best friends, and that Incognito was a great teammate.
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