Mixed Emotions Surround NFL Incognito-Martin Case

Nothing but confusion after Dolphins’ Incognito is accused of bullying ex-teammate Martin.

No one seems to know what's going on.

At least, regarding the true story of what happened between Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and ex-teammate Jonathon Martin.

Martin suddenly left the team on Oct. 28 after an incident in the lunchroom. His lawyer David Cornwell claims that “Jonathon endured harassment that went far beyond the traditional locker room hazing.”

Incognito, who admits to leaving a vulgar voice message on Martin’s phone, was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team on Nov. 3.

The scandal is raising many eyebrows, with issues including racism, bullying and locker room culture.

Richie Incognito talks about his relationship with Martin and how he feels about the accusations.

In his FOX interview, Incognito said “People don’t know how John and I communicate to one another.” But now, the public does. And many are sharing their opinions about it.

Use of the n-word

One of the biggest issues around this case is Incognito’s use of the n-word in his voice message to Martin.

     

Jonathon Martin, 24, will no longer be playing for the Miami

Dolphins due to allegedly being bullied and threatened by

teammates. Photograph courtesy of the NFL. 

Some people are saying Incognito’s racist slurs over voice message cannot be seen “as anything other than crude and race-hateful.”

Incognito says that the word is used often by players, including Martin. And his other teammates backed him up.

Player Tyson Clabo commented "What's perceived is that Richie is this psychopath racist, and the reality is Richie was a pretty good teammate.”

Beyond racist, Incognito is being called a general bully.

Incognito: poster boy for bullying?

Richie Incognito has been suspended from the Miami
Dolphins while the NFL investigates his recent conduct.
(Photo by Jack Pepper/Sports Beat)

During Incognito’s FOX interview, he is called “the face of bullying in America.”

However, teammate John Denny said he was surprised by Martin’s bullying and harassment accusations. Denny “never saw any red flags. [He] never saw any concern.”

Myron Rolle, a former NFL player, calls it bullying. He blames a lack of leadership on the Dolphins team. 

Rolle said “the other players exhibited no leadership when they failed to check Incognito for his vehement abuse of Martin."

“Locker Room Culture” in the NFL

The Incognito-Martin case is shedding a negative light on the whole NFL. The concern is over hazing and how athletes treat each other, especially in the locker room.

Once an NFL player himself, Rolle described the locker room as a place that, despite coaches’ rules, “is ultimately governed and run by the players.”

When Incognito played for Nebraska, then-teammate David Kolowski witnessed Incognito's tendency to bully in and outside of the locker room.

Kolowski explained "in that culture you don't run and cry to the coaches."

Professional football players throughout the NFL are not accepting Incognito’s actions. For example, Lawrence Jackson, even called him “a dirty and disrespectful player” over Twitter. 

If the NFL has to reevaluate its regulations around hazing, it would be difficult. "The NFL would be making a big mistake if they went from zero awareness to zero tolerance," said social psychologist and director of the Workplace Bullying Institute, Dr. Gary Namie.

After this Incognito-Martin case, though, football locker room culture might be forced to face some changes.

Do you think this is a league-wide issue that the NFL should do something about? Share comments below.