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Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: AUChizad on November 04, 2013, 11:52:13 AM
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This story is all kinds of weird.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9924206/miami-dolphins-suspend-richie-incognito-indefinitely-connection-jonathan-martin-incident (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9924206/miami-dolphins-suspend-richie-incognito-indefinitely-connection-jonathan-martin-incident)
Richie Incognito suspended by team
Updated: November 4, 2013, 11:18 AM ET
By James Walker
Adam Schefter discusses the latest news surrounding Dolphins G Richie Incognito, who was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team.Tags: Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin, Miami Dolphins, Suspended, Adam Schefter, SportsCenter
The Miami Dolphins have suspended starting guard Richie Incognito for conduct detrimental to the team.
Incognito was being reviewed by the Dolphins, the NFL and the NFL Players Association for harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin, who left the team last week following a lunchroom incident.
The Dolphins announced in a statement late Sunday that Incognito had been suspended, adding "we believe in maintaining a culture of respect for one another and as a result we believe this decision is in the best interest of the organization at this time. As we noted earlier, we reached out to the NFL to conduct an objective and thorough review. We will continue to work with the league on this matter."
WalkerBased on the allegations that have been reported, the Dolphins had no choice but to suspend Richie Incognito, James Walker writes. Analysis
Sources told ESPN that one of the significant allegations being reviewed is that Incognito got Martin to contribute $15,000 to help finance a trip to Las Vegas by some teammates last summer, even though Martin preferred not to travel with the group.
Rather than go, Martin simply gave Incognito the $15,000, sources told ESPN, fearing the consequences if he did not hand over the money.
One source said there are other instances of intimidation, captured in text messages and at least one demeaning voice mail. In addition, some of the messages were racially charged in nature, according to ESPN and media reports. The alleged racial aspect of the communication was first reported by Fox Sports. Also, Martin's recent reported text communications with Incognito that indicated he did not hold the guard responsible for his absence were sent out of fear of retribution, sources told ESPN.
Incognito, who has been a part of the Dolphins' six-player leadership council, started all eight games for the Dolphins (4-4). He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Backup guard Nate Garner will start in his place.
Representatives for Martin contacted the team Sunday regarding allegations of harassment and player misconduct, with the Dolphins saying in a statement they have asked the NFL to review the matter.
Incognito took to Twitter earlier Sunday, stating that he wants his "name cleared." He called the reports "false speculation" and "slander" and said ESPN was hiding behind sources "who are not man enough to put their name behind the BS you report."
This is not the first time Incognito has been in trouble. In 2009 he got into a verbal altercation with then-St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo for multiple penalties in a game. Incognito was waived a few days later. Incognito also was suspended for the 2004 season in college at Nebraska due to off-field incidents.
Incognito was voted the second-dirtiest player in the NFL from a player poll in the Sporting News before the 2012 season. Houston Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith also swung a helmet at Incognito during an August preseason game, alleging foul play.
Incognito talked to NFL.com last summer about problems he's had to overcome through therapy with anger-management issues and substance abuse, particularly when he was with the Rams at the beginning of his career.
"I mean, we'd have practice the next morning, and I'm out until all hours of the night, running the town," Incognito told NFL.com. "Drinking. Doing drugs. I was doing everything that a professional athlete should not be doing."
He had seemed to turn his image around with the Dolphins, however, earning a share of the team's "good guy" award last season, which is given to the player who is most cooperative with the local media. He also was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2012.
"I'm definitely not a choir boy," Incognito told NFL.com in the story published earlier this year. "You know, I'm definitely not healed, and I'm not saying that I don't make mistakes. But from where I was to where I am now, I mean, it's night and day. And it's something that, you know, I hope people can respect about me."
The Dolphins will return to the practice field Monday, minus Incognito, to prepare for their "Monday Night Football" game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.
It is unknown if and when Martin plans to return to the team. The Dolphins have until 4 p.m. ET Tuesday to take him off the non-football related illness list.
Don't get me wrong, he defintiely sounds like a racist asshole. And just a douche in general. But adults being "bullied" by other adults, especially big tough NFL players, is kind of ridiculous.
How did he "make" him pay for other players' vacations? He's an adult, he can tell him no and to fuck himself.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24186392/dolphins-harassment-case-text-from-incognito-to-martin-used-racial-slur (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24186392/dolphins-harassment-case-text-from-incognito-to-martin-used-racial-slur)
Dolphins harassment case: Text from Incognito to Martin used racial slur
November 4, 2013 11:35 am ET
Among the texts that Jonathan Martin made available to his parents, and then, eventually the Dolphins and the NFL, include those in which Richie Incognito refers to Martin, who is biracial, as a "half-n*****," according to a source who was privy to the communication.
There are several instances of threats as well, the sources said, and overall disturbing exchanges, including one in which Incognito refers to defecating in Martin's mouth.
Incognito also made reference to tracking down members of Martin's family and harming them in the texts as well, according to a source.
In some instances, that kind of rhetoric might be shaken off or ignored, but, given the track record of incidents between Incognito and Martin, and how sustained it had become, Martin truly felt that Incognito might be capable of inflicting harm, and for his safety getting away from the team was in his best interests.
The NFL, apprised of the evidence, began upper-level meetings on the case this morning as it launches its investigation. People with access to some of the exchanges believe in time this situation could become a springboard for further policies and practices at the league-wide level in regards to hazing, verbal harassment and perhaps also stricter codes in terms of financial harassment and actions whereby rookies are required by veterans to pick up excessive tabs and bills as a rite of passage.
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http://deadspin.com/is-richie-incognitos-dad-blasting-jonathan-martin-on-m-1457997230?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow (http://deadspin.com/is-richie-incognitos-dad-blasting-jonathan-martin-on-m-1457997230?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow)
Is Richie Incognito's Dad Blasting Jonathan Martin On Message Boards?
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Richie Incognito finds himself at the center of the Dolphins' and the NFL's investigation of the bullying complaints of Jonathan Martin, who left the team last week. Incognito has been suspended indefinitely, and the latest report is that Incognito left Martin texts and voicemails "that are both threatening and racially charged in nature."
Even Dolphins fans seem somewhat fed up with Incognito, who can't seem to avoid trouble off the field and is one of the league's dirtiest players on it. But on a popular Dolphins message board, Incognito has at least one strident defender—and it might be his dad.
Early this morning, a poster with the username "idrd1994" left an impassioned defense of Incognito on the FinHeaven message board. In it, he attacked both Martin and Mike Pouncey as "black brothers that do drugs on a regular basis," and asked readers to "pray [GM Jeff] Ireland and [coach Joe] Philbin die of AIDS." He blasts the team from top to bottom, claims Incognito is getting railroaded, and uses the "black people say the N-word in rap music" argument to dismiss claims that Incognito sent racial messages to Martin. He also implies that Martin has pondered suicide, and "does not belong in an NFL locker room."
The post has since been deleted, but here's a screengrab; click the magnifying glass to enlarge.
(http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/195b7o509fmjqpng/original.png)
User "TheWalrus" decided to go back and look at idrd1994's post history, and found something interesting. idrd1994 "only talks about the offensive line, praises Jeff Darlington (who Richie 'trusted' to write the big feature on Richie) and constantly refers to Jason Smith, the legendary #2 overall draft pick bust of the Rams, who was taken when Incognito was there."
Then, more sleuthwork. TheWalrus found another post of idrd1994's where he talks about growing up in New Jersey and watching the Jets play at Shea Stadium. Richie Incognito was born in New Jersey, but after the Jets had already moved. Not too young to have seen the Jets play in Queens? Richie Incognito Sr., an active poster (under a different name) on Nebraska message boards when Richie Jr. played for the Huskers.
A Google search for "idrd1994" turns up a number of posts on RC car message boards, from a user claiming to live in Arizona—where the Incognitos moved when Richie Jr. was 11. "idrd1994" is also a profile on MyLife.com, registered under one Richie Incognito, age 63, from Glendale, Ariz.
Update: Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald spoke to the FinHeaven board administrator. idrd1994 registered with a date of birth of 12/14/1949, which matches Richie Incognito Sr.'s birthday.
idrd1994 has—at least according to what's accessible on the site—a brief but focused posting history on FinHeaven. His first few posts, beginning on Oct. 9, were all about the Miami offensive line. Then, on Nov. 2, when it emerged that the NFLPA was asked to investigate Martin's claims,
NFLPA IS NOT TOUCHING THIS WITH A TEN FOOT POLE. It will come out, Martin has tried to kill himself three previous times. The team is silent because they all know about it, from Ross on down to Ireland and Philbin. If anybody has seen the latest news the NFLPA has decided not to look into the case. Jonathan Martin has had mental issues since College, it will all come out int he wash gentleman, believe me.
On Nov. 3, after Incognito was suspended,
This is a joke, suspend an honest player for a drug addict and a player that tried to kill himself three times. Complete ****in utter BS and this team is just covering their ass. What a friggin joke. Strange only coments are from Zuckerman and not Martin himself. Irleand and Philbin should be ashamed of themselves, this is a ****in joke. Suspend a pro bowl player for a player that does not even belong in the NFL. FUKIN JOKE its all going to come out in the wash and Ireland should be ****in hung because he , philbin and everyone else knew Martin did drugs and attempted suicide three times. But hey, the regular people will never hear that right ? ****IN JOKE FOLKS, ****IN JOKE.
Late last night:
Incognito will look good in a Jets uniform beating the piss out of our defensive line in a few weeks. Watch, learn , and we will have ? Jonahtan Martin, draft bust, drug addict and on suicide watch, what a team. LMFAO.
idrd1994's full posting history is available here (registration needed). Sure, it's possible this is someone maintaining a sustained, convincing impersonation of Richie Incognito's father. But if this is actually Richie Sr., it'll save writers a lot of time asking him how he feels about bullying accusations against his son, considering Richie Jr. was bullied as a child. A 2003 ESPN profile of the then-Nebraska player recalls how Richie Jr. was teased for his weight as a child, until his father told him "you can't let them keep doing it," and the young Incognito punched out his tormentor.
Before his sophomore year, the story notes, the university sent Incognito to a Topeka behavioral clinic for anger management. "I don't think Richie is ever going to completely stop being the way he is," his mother said. Added Richie Sr.: "He just knows how to control it better."
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I can't see him.
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I thought the same thing initially. How could an adult, especially a freakin' huge NFL lineman, actually be bullied by anybody? I chuckled and rolled my eyes at the idea. Then as I read more about Martin, such as being labeled a "freak" and "weird" by his teammates because he did not like the same things an NFL lineman normally likes, they started ostracizing this guy and constantly pulling pranks on him. He was a quiet guy that just did not like conflict, so a bully would take advantage of that. We all probably have known big guys in which their personality just does not match their size. Some prick like Incognito probably gets some warped feeling of superiority knowing he can control another big guy like Martin. We like to think adults grow out of such things as bullying, but some people can never get their maturity level out of high school.
I wonder what Martin could have done? If he punches that asshole Incognito in the face, does he get disciplined by the Dolphins or call it even? If he goes to the Dolphins management, do they just laugh at him because the thought of a big guy like him being bullied sounds stupid and unbelievable or do they listen and investigate? He is a rookie when this starts, so are the Dolphins going to believe him or Incognito?
My question to the lawyers on the board, given that the NFL is a job, would this not be a good case for at least a hostile work environment? If you was to take this same situation, but remove it from the NFL and place it in a normal office work environment, the case would be hard to turn down, right?
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I thought the same thing initially. How could an adult, especially a freakin' huge NFL lineman, actually be bullied by anybody? I chuckled and rolled my eyes at the idea. Then as I read more about Martin, such as being labeled a "freak" and "weird" by his teammates because he did not like the same things an NFL lineman normally likes, they started ostracizing this guy and constantly pulling pranks on him. He was a quiet guy that just did not like conflict, so a bully would take advantage of that. We all probably have known big guys in which their personality just does not match their size. Some prick like Incognito probably gets some warped feeling of superiority knowing he can control another big guy like Martin. We like to think adults grow out of such things as bullying, but some people can never get their maturity level out of high school.
I wonder what Martin could have done? If he punches that asshole Incognito in the face, does he get disciplined by the Dolphins or call it even? If he goes to the Dolphins management, do they just laugh at him because the thought of a big guy like him being bullied sounds stupid and unbelievable or do they listen and investigate? He is a rookie when this starts, so are the Dolphins going to believe him or Incognito?
My question to the lawyers on the board, given that the NFL is a job, would this not be a good case for at least a hostile work environment? If you was to take this same situation, but remove it from the NFL and place it in a normal office work environment, the case would be hard to turn down, right?
Like I said, there is zero doubt that Incognito is an epic douche. Not at all defending him as a person.
And, I guess if we were using the word "harassment" instead of "bullying" I would be able to take it seriously. Really, they mean the same thing. And you're right, it sounds like a hostile work environment, and that something needed to be done.
As for what Martin could have done, like I said, tell him to go fuck himself. Seems simple enough to me. Sounds like he extorted money out of him too. I guess the key here is semantics. Extortion is an adult problem. "Bullying", especially in the adult world, is some PC bullshit. Again, though, I don't see how an adult doesn't just say "Fuck you, dude, I'm not paying for your vacation."
When he was a rookie, he probably got "bullied" a lot. Again, light, harmless hazing is just the culture of professional sports. Get over it and pass it along to the next round of rookies. Sounds like this continued beyond just his rookie season though.
Like I said, it's complex, and I in no way think Incognito is anything other than an asshole. I can even get on board with him getting punishment for this, given the severity of the harassment he was inflicting. But at some point, you've gotta man up and not expect to be coddled like a child.
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Oh, I am not saying you were defending him or anything. I get what you were saying and I guess I was sort of trying to continue it. Again, I also wonder how a big NFL lineman can allow this to happen. Yet I do understand that some people just have a personality that totally avoids conflict and will allow others to take advantage of that. They just would rather allow people to roll over them instead of standing up for themselves. My wife was like that when we first met, but after much encouragement from me, she finally learned to not be quiet and take up for herself.
Just like in high school when sometimes bullies get protected because they are a star athlete or very popular, I have seen management protect douchebags and "bullies" because they have been at the job longer than their accuser or they are good buddies with the boss. I'm sure we all have seen that. Using the bully term is the PC thing to do with the anti-bully movement in schools, though in the workplace I believe using "harassment" is the better word, especially since it has more of a legal connotation to it. Regardless of which word is used, we can agree that Incognito is starting to sound like a POS that needs his face caved in.
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It's like Lou Gherig dying of his own disease - you would think a guy named Incognito could post without getting recognized........
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Ole Rog has got to be loving this. Not only is the majority of his league unwatchable but now you have this kind of crap to sift through every day.
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Ole Rog has got to be loving this. Not only is the majority of his league unwatchable but now you have this kind of crap to sift through every day.
It IS very hard to watch any number of match ups on a given Sunday. :charles:
The Martin, Incognito case is interesting because it's so extreme. Martin felt forced to make it known because he only had two choices; go on taking the relentless abuse from the ringleader AND his team mates or strike back which would go nowhere- both putting his football livelihood at risk. You have to know he had some pretty strong thoughts running though his mind to choose making it public instead of the other route.
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My God...if you need a laugh or twelve head over to Dead spin to read the comments from this story.
http://deadspin.com/report-richie-incognito-called-jonathan-martin-a-half-1458148723 (http://deadspin.com/report-richie-incognito-called-jonathan-martin-a-half-1458148723)
Here are a few samplings that made me chortle...
So he's only half-racist. Shame on you all for piling on and besmirching his half-good name.
Agreed. Personally, I am only half-offended.
If it's a crime to shit down another man's throat, lock me up and throw away the key.
Worse than calling Martin a "half ni***r" was the implication Incognito made that he could get the other half on layaway.
@RileyCooperWR: My thoughts are with Jonathan Martin during this tough time. He's not half-bad.
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I can't see him.
:haha:
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Whatever, you guys don't know shit. Incognito is an honorary black man.
http://nfl.si.com/2013/11/06/richie-incognito-honorary-black-man-miami-dolphins-jonathan-martin/?sct=hp_t2_a1&eref=sihp (http://nfl.si.com/2013/11/06/richie-incognito-honorary-black-man-miami-dolphins-jonathan-martin/?sct=hp_t2_a1&eref=sihp)
One of the lingering mysteries in the Dolphins’ messy Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin case has been the lack of backlash toward Incognito from within the team’s locker room, despite Incognito referring to Martin as a “half-n—–†on one voicemail.
We may now have an answer, unusual as it may be. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported Wednesday that Incognito is considered “an honorary black man†by his teammates.
“Richie is honarary,†one player who left the Dolphins this offseason told me today. “I don’t expect you to understand because you’re not black. But being a black guy, being a brother is more than just about skin color. It’s about how you carry yourself. How you play. Where you come from. What you’ve experienced. A lot of things.â€
That explanation seemingly goes hand in hand with what ESPN’s Cris Carter said on SportsCenter, following a talk with Miami center Mike Pouncey.
“They love Richie Incognito and they wish he was playing football for them this [Monday],†Carter said, via the Herald.
Receiver Mike Wallace echoed those comments to Salguero, saying, “I don’t have a problem with Richie. I love Richie.†Cornerback Brent Grimes and tight end Michael Egnew, meanwhile, both stated that Incognito is not racist.
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Whatever, you guys don't know shit. Incognito is an honorary black man.
Is this like how Alabama made Reuben Foster an honorary literate person, so he could get into school?
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Walter Lewis concurs
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This story is looking more and more like a bunch of media fueled hot air
Douchebag? Sure. But nothing to like what they are making it out to be. Martin has issues. Issues that were there before Incognito and issues that have nothing to do with Incognito. When all the teammates come out and say it's overblown and that Martin was a headcase, black players included, then I'm inclined to think the media is fueling 90% of this whole thing.
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This story is looking more and more like a bunch of media fueled hot air
Douchebag? Sure. But nothing to like what they are making it out to be. Martin has issues. Issues that were there before Incognito and issues that have nothing to do with Incognito. When all the teammates come out and say it's overblown and that Martin was a headcase, black players included, then I'm inclined to think the media is fueling 90% of this whole thing.
Do you actually think that the media would hype a story up and run with it for their own personal gain? It is sad that some people have such little faith and trust.
You probably don't trust our government that is trying to provide and protect you either, do you?
Srsly, I'm to the point of seeing black helicopters anytime I read or hear a news story. There is so much hype and manipulation that most news not only cannot be trusted, it doesn't even matter.
I used to work with a lady who stopped watching the news, period. She read print but never watched tv news. She said she became happier.
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Oh yeah, and if each of you don't send me 15K for my trip to Vegas, I'm kicking some ass. I'm a bad man. No, really, I am. I'm dangerous.
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This is all over one word. The n word. If that isn't said, this wouldn't be a story at all.
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This is all over one word. The n word. If that isn't said, this wouldn't be a story at all.
Did he say he's near?
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Did he say he's near?
No fragnabbit, I said Martin is a NNBOOONNG
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No fragnabbit, I said Martin is a NNBOOONNG
AS chairman of the welcoming committee, it is my privilege to extend a laurel and hearty handshake...
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Guys, guys. This is all a big misunderstanding. Richie called him a half-nurra so it's all good. That's what Trooper told me, at least.
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WE!! is right.
And even the black players said that Richie and others commonly said the n word in a friendly hip hop jibberish kind of way - 'a' not 'r'. And it was all cool. They even said he's like one of the black guys in the lockerroom. Until Martin wanted to be a whiney little bitch and try to make someone a scapegoat for his head issues.
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Like several of you, the more I hear about this, the more of a non-story this is becoming. Here's what I'm seeing. Those in the media, especially those who are talking heads and have never been in a locker room other than to interview a nekkid man, are all taking the standard position of trying to further pussify Amerka. "There's no place for bullying in any setting. He used the N word....he must be banned from sports and publically flogged in the town square....we must change the culture of...."
I even saw Bill O-Reilly interviewing Tiki Barber night before last and I wanted to choke O'Reilly out. He was driving the politically correct bandwagon at 100 m.p.h. saying Incognito should be banned from football for life and the same for the coaches. Barber, on the other hand, and like Mike Golic and so many other current and former players, was saying "Not so fast here. Don't be so quick to judge when this is an area you really know very little about."
Here's the thing for me. We all love our foosballz and we love to see it played at a high and yes...violent level. When you start looking at football players, especially at the NFL level, think about what their life must be like. Your job is simply to keep yourself in as good a physical condition as you can be in. You train to go out and be faster, bigger, stronger and more violent than the guy across from you. While coaching and the business end of the sport around you is far more complex than that....your job is pretty basic. Pretty simple. You're training to by physical and violent on the football field. So, a mentality and actions like those of Richie Incognito surprise you? He should be banned?
I say let those inside the NFL, the players, coaches and owners decide this issue and the fate of the parties. Incognito will sue, of course. (Bless his heart :thumsup:) Let that play out and if they have to pay him some $$$ to make it go away, so be it. But don't let those outside the game influence you into "Changing the culture" inside or outside the locker room.
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WE!! is right.
And even the black players said that Richie and others commonly said the n word in a friendly hip hop jibberish kind of way - 'a' not 'r'. And it was all cool. They even said he's like one of the black guys in the lockerroom. Until Martin wanted to be a whiney little bitch and try to make someone a scapegoat for his head issues.
Anybody says it to me, even in a friendly kind of way and I will pop a cap in somebody ass.
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Like several of you, the more I hear about this, the more of a non-story this is becoming. Here's what I'm seeing. Those in the media, especially those who are talking heads and have never been in a locker room other than to interview a nekkid man, are all taking the standard position of trying to further pussify Amerka. "There's no place for bullying in any setting. He used the N word....he must be banned from sports and publically flogged in the town square....we must change the culture of...."
I even saw Bill O-Reilly interviewing Tiki Barber night before last and I wanted to choke O'Reilly out. He was driving the politically correct bandwagon at 100 m.p.h. saying Incognito should be banned from football for life and the same for the coaches. Barber, on the other hand, and like Mike Golic and so many other current and former players, was saying "Not so fast here. Don't be so quick to judge when this is an area you really know very little about."
Here's the thing for me. We all love our foosballz and we love to see it played at a high and yes...violent level. When you start looking at football players, especially at the NFL level, think about what their life must be like. Your job is simply to keep yourself in as good a physical condition as you can be in. You train to go out and be faster, bigger, stronger and more violent than the guy across from you. While coaching and the business end of the sport around you is far more complex than that....your job is pretty basic. Pretty simple. You're training to by physical and violent on the football field. So, a mentality and actions like those of Richie Incognito surprise you? He should be banned?
I say let those inside the NFL, the players, coaches and owners decide this issue and the fate of the parties. Incognito will sue, of course. (Bless his heart :thumsup:) Let that play out and if they have to pay him some $$$ to make it go away, so be it. But don't let those outside the game influence you into "Changing the culture" inside or outside the locker room.
Adam Schefter was just about in tears when talking about this story Monday night. Think he was bullied as a kid much?
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Adam Schefter was just about in tears when talking about this story Monday night. Think he was bullied as a kid much?
I'm sure that little bitch is still getting bullied on a daily basis.
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from teh foxnesz. I am a gay twerker that has no balls!!!! I also have no idea how to use the quote function to post stories, so I annoy the piss out of others. I like male genatalia in and around my mouth.
A new report late Wednesday claims that Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland was made aware of the alleged bullying involving offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, and suggested that Martin try to resolve the matter by confronting his teammate physically.
The report, on the website ProFootballTalk.com, cited multiple NFL sources in saying that Martin's agent, Rick Smith, called Ireland sometime before Martin left the Dolphins October 28 to complain about the way Incognito was treating his teammate. Ireland reportedly responded to Smith's complaint by telling him that Martin should stand up to Incognito physically and specifically suggested punching the latter man. The Dolphins organization has not commented on any aspect of the case since announcing Incognito's indefinite suspension for conduct detrimental to the team late Sunday.
Earlier Wednesday, the Associated Press, citing two people familiar with the situation, reported that before Martin left the Dolphins, he told multiple people that he was considering quitting football.
One of the people said Martin considered giving up the sport because he was mistreated by other offensive linemen. That person said Martin, who sought counseling for emotional issues, now plans to continue playing. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the organization has said little about Martin's departure.
After practice Wednesday, several players questioned why Martin left and supported Incognito.
"I don't know why he's doing this," offensive tackle Tyson Clabo said. "And the only person who knows why, his name is Jonathan Martin."
Last week, Smith said the second-year player from Stanford was harassed almost daily by teammates in his rookie year and the hazing continued into this season. That prompted an NFL investigation, and the Dolphins suspended Incognito, who sources said sent Martin threatening and racist messages during the offseason.
Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed a New York lawyer with experience in sports cases to investigate the case.
The controversy attracted more than 100 reporters and cameramen to the Dolphins' complex Wednesday, and when the throng entered the locker room after practice, a player pushed the button on a boom box sitting at Incognito's stall.
Circus music began to play.
Then the Dolphins, clearly weary of the circus atmosphere, opened up. They passionately defended Incognito and insisted they didn't see the blowup coming. Most said Martin and Incognito were friends.
"The whole thing, it's kind of mind-blowing to me," quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. "It's kind of mind-blowing to most of the guys on our team right now."
The 24-year-old Martin was briefly hospitalized after he left the team and is now with his family in California.
Tannehill said he was shocked when Martin departed.
"It's tough for me, because you can't help a situation that you didn't know existed -- that no one on this team knew existed," Tannehill said. "We have a bunch of good guys in this locker room. To be put in a situation where everyone's attacking the locker room saying it's such a bad place, such a bad culture, no leadership to stand up and stop the situation -- no one knew there was a situation to be stopped."
Several players said Martin and Incognito were close.
"If you had asked Jon Martin a week before who his best friend on the team was, he would have said Richie Incognito," Tannehill said. "The first guy to stand up for Jonathan when anything went down on the field, any kind of tussle, Richie was the first guy there. When they wanted to hang out outside of football, who was together? Richie and Jonathan."
Guard John Jerry said he never heard Incognito use the racist term included in one voicemail and wouldn't have objected anyway.
"I would have just laughed it off," Jerry said. "I know the type of person he is, and I know he doesn't mean it that way. Everybody's got friends that when you're out, they say those type of things. It's never made a big deal."
The 30-year-old Incognito was kicked off his team at Nebraska, and has long had a reputation as one of the NFL's dirtiest players. But he has been universally praised by his teammates this week.
"Does he like to give guys a hard time? Yes. Does he like to pester guys and have fun? Yes," Tannehill said. "But he brought a lot of laughter to this locker room, he brought a lot of cohesiveness to this locker room and he was the best teammate that I could ask for."
For Martin, the final straw was a lunchroom prank at the team complex, and he then left the squad. Tannehill and Jerry said the same prank has been pulled on many other players.
Hijinks are especially common among the offensive linemen, Clabo said.
"We have a system of basically it's just a big joke, basically," he said. It helps camaraderie. It keeps things light in the room. Everyone participates. No one is exempt and so I don't see how ... we would all be guilty of bullying."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Incognito sounds like bona fide X material.
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I remember the time all the guys on my team stripped me down, wrote graffiti on me, stuck a banana up my ass and duct taped me to the goal post on the field that the band practices. A lot of people would have been upset but I understood camaraderie.
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I remember the time all the guys on my team stripped me down, wrote graffiti on me, stuck a banana up my ass and duct taped me to the goal post on the field that the band practices. A lot of people would have been upset but I understood camaraderie.
Team player
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Incognito sounds like bona fide X material.
Porn name:
Dickis Incognito
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Incognito sounds like bona fide X material.
Damn right he does.
Martin on the other hand....well, they have another site for him.
And I agree with Ireland. Be a man. Stand up to him.
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I remember the time all the guys on my team stripped me down, wrote graffiti on me, stuck a banana up my ass and duct taped me to the goal post on the field that the band practices. A lot of people would have been upset but I understood camaraderie.
VV calls that Friday night.
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I remember the time all the guys on my team stripped me down, wrote graffiti on me, stuck a banana up my ass and duct taped me to the goal post on the field that the band practices. A lot of people would have been upset but I understood camaraderie.
Was the banana peeled?
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Was the banana peeled?
Pickle Fucker
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I can't control this urge to stick my dick in the pickle slicer.
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Was the banana peeled?
I don't like to talk about it.
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Was the banana peeled?
Yes, but not when it went in
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VV calls that Friday night.
No...Friday night is cucumber night.
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No...Friday night is cucumber night.
Crouching VV, Hidden Cucumber
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I can't control this urge to stick my dick in the pickle slicer.
He might slap you...