Nick Tedesco-Incgonito

Bullying or Motivational Hazing: Incognito-Martin Scandal Still Underway

Richie Incognito suspended from Miami Dolphins due to bullying charges

Nobody seems to know the full story.

Jonathan Martin recently left the Dolphin’s claiming his team and specifically Richie Incognito were bullying him. Hazing in locker rooms is a typical experience, but Martin’s attorney claimed that he “endured harassment that went far beyond the traditional locker hazing.”

Incognito does not believe that the hazing was out of the ordinary.  In an interview with Jay Glazer of Fox News, Incognito said that “there is nothing malicious done when hazing.” 

Richie Incognito, 30, was suspended from the Dolphins after accusations of bullying 

teammate Jonathan Martin (Jim Wildman/AP)

Many of the teammates are defending Incognito saying Martin was never excluded from anything or treated differently.

The players would all haze each other, but Martin was never singled out.

Where’s the Line?

While Incognito claims that he had Martin’s back and they were good friends, a voicemail he left to Martin may leave others to think otherwise.

Incognito used the n-word and threatened to kill Martin in the voicemail. He says he knows using the word is wrong, but it is thrown around a lot in the locker rooms.  The way they communicate is vulgar, but Martin would send messages to him that were just as cruel.

So were these messages the reason Martin quit?

This seems to be the big question that everyone is asking.  Martin is not revealing much about the situation, and it may never be clear as to the exact reasons why he left.

Jonathan Martin, 24, has left and will not be returning

 to play for Miami (Kevin Leahy/Miami Herald

“My actions were coming from a place of love.”

Incognito insists that the real issue is about his relationship with Martin, not bullying.  He did not know that he was hurting Martin and regrets the decisions he made.

Many of the players on the team can support Incognito’s compassion.  Dolphins’ wide receiver Mike Wallace told NFL.com, “I love Richie.  I think he’s a great guy.  I don’t think he was out of hand.  I have a lot of respect for Richie.” 

With all the compliments and support that Incognito is getting, the situation seems to be missing some facts.

The public does not have enough information on Martin yet to justify the actions from the players.

Richie Incognito sits down with Fox Sports to discuss his relationship with Martin

What do you think?

When asked if the stories have been close to true, Incognito said, “I think the whole thing, I’ve been sitting here saying that’s not even close.”

So Incognito says that he is made to look like a bad person…but what do you think? 

  Is there enough information to make a call on whether or not Incognito should get suspended?  Write your comments below.