NFL story

Where is the line between Hazing and Bullying in the NFL?

Jonathan Martin leaves Miami Dolphins after claims of being bullied by teammate Richie Incognito.
by Mina Younossi

The recent controversy has urged the NFL to take a step back and reevaluate the notion of what is and isn’t acceptable behavior among teammates. Rookie Jonathan Martin left the team after claiming that he had been “bullied”. He said that teammate, offensive lineman Richie Incognito, who’s had a history of violent and unsportsman like behavior, left him threatening voicemails and referred to him using racial slurs. The story caught light and caused a roar of different opinions, ranging from “disgusting” to the “norm.”

Jonathan Martin during a game. Bob Brown/Jones News 

Adam Robinson wrote, “Hazing is fine with me, to an extent.”” What happened to Martin over the past year and a half, though, is classic bullying of a grown man.” He as well as many other people believe that the term “locker room culture” has been coined as a way of turning a blind eye to the unacceptable dialogue and treatment among players in the NFL. Due to Martin’s history of being a “bully” many find it hard to believe that he is anything other than just that. Former New York Jets player Bart Scott called Incognito the "dirtiest player" he's every played against.

“Locker room culture” to blame

Others put less of the blame on Incognito and say that the culture of the Dolphins' locker room to blame. James Walker, a blogger for ESPN, stated, “Regardless of what side you're on, here is something everyone should be able to agree on: The Dolphins' culture is broken. This is a locker room with no decorum or code of conduct. There are no standards, and Dolphins players went overboard.” Walker said that the teams general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Joe Philbin “failed to set a tone of what was not acceptable in Miami’s locker room.”

Richie Incognito apologizes and defends his actions in an exclusive interview with Jay Glazer.

Teammates defend Incognito

Richie Incognito before a game. Jim Wildman/AP

Despite all of the negative press surrounding Incognito, many say that the use of racial slurs in the locker room is a “norm” for the player’s and expresses their comfort with each other. They say that Incognito’s uses of the words don’t mean that he’s a racist and that is why his teammates haven’t turned against him. ESPN analyst and former Dolphins wide receiver Cris Carter said, in regards to the team members, “They think it’s sad, not only that Jonathan’s not on the football team, but also that Richie is being depicted as a bigot and as a racist.” 

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