NFL legend Tom Jackson called him racist, bigoted and a bully. After doing some small digging it appears as if those three adjectives just start to scratch the surface on the type of man Richie Incognito is.
Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the Miami Dolphins Sunday night after news snowballed over the weekend that the veteran guard was severely bullying rookie teammate Jonathan Martin. Martin, an incredibly intelligent and highly touted talent out of Stanford, left the Dolphins last week after a lunchroom incident.
After a short investigation, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN that various inappropriate messages from Incognito to Martin were discovered, the following from April 2013:
“Hey, wassup, you half n—– piece of s—. I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. [I want to] s— in your f—ing mouth. [I’m going to] slap your f—ing mouth. [I’m going to] slap your real mother across the face [laughter]. F— you, you’re still a rookie. I’ll kill you.”
Martin was also reportedly forced to pay $15,000 to Incognito for a trip to Las Vegas in which he didn’t even attend. Martin told sources he feared repercussions from Incognito if he didn’t fork over the dough.
The story is unprecedented, considering bullying usually surrounds jungle gyms and physical education classes — not adult professional athletes in the National Football League.
What’s even more shocking — unless you believe in karma — is that it appears Incognito has been up to no good since a teenager at Nebraska.
According to ESPN, Incognito has a very long history of trouble dating back to college.
Spring 2003 – Suspended by Nebraska coach Frank Solich
June 2004 – Convicted of misdemeanor assault charge stemming from incident at party.
Sept. 2004 – Suspended indefinitely by Nebraska coach Bill Callahan for repeated violations of team rules
Oct. 2004 – Dismissed from Oregon football program after transferring to school in September.
2009 – Voted NFL’s “dirtiest player.”
Dec. 2009 – Released by Rams after two personal foul pentalties and arguing with head coach Steve Spagnuolo.
Dec. 2011 – Raiders DT Richard Symour fined $30K for punching Incognito during game.
Incognito also lost support of Rams fans after he publicly taunted them following a game in 2009.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz wrote the following about Incognito in 2009 in regards to the player’s conduct:
“Incognito symbolizes everything that’s wrong with the Rams. First, we heard the immature, underachieving Incognito rip into Rams fans a few days before the Chicago game, then he taunted the fans as he left the field Sunday. And no one — repeat, no one — in the Rams organization has the stomach to confront this tool and punish him with a benching or suspension.”
And then there is this — the icing on the cake; the ironic PSA that Incognito did for the Dolphins in regards to fan conduct:
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper had to go through “sensitivity training” earlier this year for making one racial slur in front of a camera phone. What could the NFL possibly have in store for Incognito in order to feel comfortable bringing him back into the league?
It might be better for his own health if Incognito isn’t allowed back — or should I just list three verbs that could result in his return?
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
