The Troubles of Being Incognito

The public has mixed feelings on Richie Incognito's bullying suspension from the NFL.

Athletes are not Gods.

Even football players, considered to be among the most respected citizens of the world, are merely mortals with faults of their own.

Take Richie Incognito. He is a star guard for the Miami Dolphins, but is constantly plagued on issues of anger management and harassment against his fellow players. A few weeks ago, he was suspended indefinitely under allegations of bullying rookie teammate Jonathan Martin. Now, Martin is seeking medical support for this bullying crisis, and is sitting the rest of the season with Miami out. 

Incognito recently sat down for an exclusive interview with FOX Sports analyst Jay Glazer. During the discussion, Incognito gave his point-of-view of the story. 

    Jay Glazer held one of the only interviews with Richie Incognito since his suspension earlier this month. Here he speaks 
on multiple issues of the case. (Video from YouTube/FOX Sports)

While he claims that the offensive lineman were trying to haze the rookie one afternoon, Incognito says that Martin stormed out of the lunchroom and left the facility immediately. Incognito says that hazing is a normal thing, and that he apologizes for any damage he caused Martin.

"The NFL's No. 1 Villain"

This is not Incognito's first foray into the realm of suspensions, however. Over the course of his college and professional careers, he has been indicted of some charge 12 times.

Though Richie Incognito has apologized, evidence seems
to suggest that he is far from innocent. (Photo by Jim
Wildman/AP)

John DeMarzo of the New York Post states that Incognito has, "developed a nasty reputation as a dirty player prone to fits of violence on and off the field." His article went on to describe how Incognito has become the top bad-guy in the NFL.

Further evidence in the matter suggests that the two exchanged threatening text messages- and Incognito's were filled with racial slurs and harassing messages. Not that Martin was not guilty- he, at first, responded with his own jokes; however, the rookie ceased the "friendly batter" when the veteran would not let up the offensive dialogue.

The Locker Room's "Normal" Behavior

Not everyone think's Incognito's totally to blame, however. Martin's own text messages contained threatening memes against Incognito's family. And the majority of Miami Dolphin's players were in on the supposed "hazing" of Martin.

Jonathan Martin is currently sitting the season out,
and intends to leave the Miami Dolphins next season.
(Photo by Kevin Leahy/Miami Herald)

NFL player Ronde Barber comments in a FOX Sports telecast that the media is largely responsible for tarnishing Incognito's record. He believes that the Miami guard was "right" to defend himself, and that this situation is not, "what we think it is".

Most defense comes from the fact that this is average, NFL locker room behavior. Joel Klatt believes that this is fairly "normal" when it comes to professional football players.

"I don't think people around the country, the public, is not ready to know what an NFL locker room is like... Whether that makes you sad or not, that's the case."

What do you think? Is Incognito a villain, or a misunderstood athlete? Comment in the section below with your opinions!