Everybody and their brothers are giving their opinion about what’s been going on in Miami between Dolphins offensive linemen Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. I figured I would weigh in with how I saw it.
I have experienced hazing and taken part in hazing rookie players during my time as a high school football player, college football player at the University of Southern California and during eleven years in the NFL. I remember singing songs for the upper classmen at USC, then singing Teddy Pendergrass songs for Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson during training camp. He liked my version of “Somebody Told Me To Remember This Message”. He had me singing everyday.
I had some rookies sing during my time as a veteran. There are quite a few of them that I regret I ever asked to sing. Their voices were terrible, but it was all in fun and it never got serious. The guys were laughing and smiling while it was going on and it brought the team closer together.
Something went terribly wrong in Miami.
Let’s take a closer look at the Incognito/Martin situation.
Incognito is a mammoth veteran guard for Dolphins, who has a reputation for going over the line on occasion in his life.
Martin is a second-year starting offensive tackle for the Dolphins, who has potential through the roof for how good he could be. He is said to have one problem and that’s his lack of aggressiveness. The Dolphins coached wanted Incognito to toughen him up.
The veteran guard befriended Martin and attempted to toughen him up like the coaches wanted. At some point the plans went off the track and Martin wound up leaving the team and checking himself into hospital for emotional distress.
Initially when the story was first reported, it seemed like a simple story. Incognito bullied Martin and the youngster left the team because of it. Things have changed of late and the story isn’t so simple.
We find out that Incognito wasn’t such a bad guy after all. Now we starting hearing things about Martin and his lack of aggressiveness as a player.
Now, it’s gone ever further in Incognito’s direction. Quite a few of their teammates have gone on the record in Incognito’s defense. They’ve talked about the improvements the big guard has made as a person. His teammates say Incognito has been a tremendous teammate and gone out of his way to help other Dolphins.
They say he’s been an outstanding leader and a motivator, who has always put the best interest of the team ahead of his own individual goals.
Amazingly, Dolphins players claim Incognito was Martin’s best friend on the team. They say Incognito and Martin hung out together away from football. This doesn’t make sense.
If Martin was so intimidated by Incognito, he surely wouldn’t be hanging around him after working hours.
I don’t think Incognito should have left the message using the N-word on Martin’s phone, but I don’t find him at fault in this situation. Martin and his teammates laughed about message Incognito left, so it must not have bothered the second-year offensive tackle very much.
I believe those Miami players have a lot better feel for what was happening in their locker room than all these so-called experts. If they say the two offensive linemen were good friends, I take that seriously.
I don’t think there’s any question Martin could have handled this much better. He could have approached a coach or teammate and told him about the problem he was having with Incognito, if indeed that was the case.
Martin may have started feeling sorry for himself and started playing the victim, even though he might not be one. I don’t know for sure what is going on, but I do blame Martin along with the team and Incognito for this situation.
Martin is an intelligent guy, who went to Stanford University and knows that by playing the victim, he would garner all types of sympathy from the public. I’m starting to suspect that Martin doesn’t want to play football any longer and this is his way out. He can get paid and not have to play any more.
There are a lot of people who are standing up for him, who don’t know anything about being in a NFL locker room. There were plenty of ways in which Martin could have solved this problem and remained on the team. He decided to solve it and not have to play anymore.
We have become a society that always sides with the so-called victims, whether they are truly victims or not. Martin knew what reactions he would get from playing the victim. I don’t know for sure that he’s playing the victim, but I’m starting to lean that way.
The fact that Martin checked himself into a hospital for emotional problems is a bit much for me. He lost me when he did that. Something’s not right in this situation.
I agree 100% G-Cobb, Locker room banter or whatever u may call it should stay amongst team. Martin should have come forth and spoke if this was too much for him. leaving the team to me was the cowards way out
Looking back at my Pre-Draft Notes from 2 Years ago, I stated that Jonathon Martin was not mentally strong or mature enough enough to be a Impact Player at the NFL Level and that his desire and heart for the game of Football was questioned while at Stanford ,who some were surprised that he even came out early as a Junior for the Draft ,since he still had much to work on as far as his game goes.. I read up on him for if anyone remembers, there was a lot of Talk of the Eagles pursuing him with their 1st Round PIck in some of the Early Mocks that Pre-Draft Run-up, after many Interviews with various Teams, Martin’s stock had dropped where the DOlphins got him in the 2nd ROuncd.. I suspect that Martin’s “Lilfestyle” has a lot to do with this entire epidsode and will leave it at this..
G, thanks for the perspective you bring with your experience in an NFL locker room. Your point about Martin realizing he doesn’t want to play anymore is very timely given that John Moffitt an OL in Denver just told the team that he doesn’t want to return to the team after their bye week. I guess your thoughts about Martin might be true.
In my mind, Incognito is a loose cannon, and any organization that signed him after being let go by the Rams had to know what they were getting. And for a coach to ask him to toughen him up, with no other direction, was asking for trouble. To me, that voice message is tough to listen to and come away sympathetic towards that idiot. I have heard some on the Dolphins say in round about ways, “yeah, Richie could be an asshole, but he was OUR asshole and he played at a high level”.
G, I agree with your statements on “our victim mindset” we have throughout this society. I believe that there will be more trouble from all of this for the Dolphins, and I question whether or not another team would want Martin after this episode.
One interesting note related to the Eagles was that Zach Ertz was Martin’s roommate at Stanford. Hopefully he does not share Martins attitude about wanting to play in the NFL or beings”soft”. I don’t see it in Ertz so far with him and doubt that he does.
This is personal for me. This is a story that plays out not only in the locker room, but in every corporate office, every school, every ghetto. When you have an African American(and I can only use that example because I am one) That is not torn from the same cloth as his peers i.e. two parent home, private school, college degree, 7 times out of 10 there will be major resentment amongst his peers that come from less fortunate circumstances. He becomes an easy target, looked at as soft, or whimpish. He is ultimately challenged or confronted everytime he steps into a room or on the field with his peers because they believe he is not one of them. Based on what you are hearing, Richie Incognito was the spring board and the cover for other players in the locker room whom had an issue with Martin, so much so that they accept Richie Incognito as Honoray Black, and Martin as a complete outsider. reference Mike Pouncey…………. This type of absurd, rediculous menatality needs to be called out for its stupidity. Nhamdi Asomugha was another of these educated players that does not have the same backround as 90% of his teammates and he ate his lunch in his car. EVER WONDER WHY? In my case, I have experienced this a number of times. I kind of relish the fact that an unexpecting bully finds me an easy target so I can promptly knock him on his ass. Thats just me. However if I was faced with a 350 lb version of the bullies I have encountered, I would have went the way of Martin as well. Threaten to slap my mother…. kill me…….. Call me a Ni&*^ REALLY. PA has a stand your ground law. The NFL needs one.
Theone1,
That is the most insightful thing you ever posted, and I agree with you…lol
You can add Donovan McNabb to the list of those who struggled with the resentment you described. Grant Hill was another one.
Bernard Hopkins’ hatred of Donovan steamed from the condition you described, no doubt.
Richie Incognito has always been a really bad guy…but I def get Shawn Andrews-like vibe from Martin.
I don’t get it…the N word is being used too loosely as of late, if you ask me..For so many to just laugh it off is ridiculous in my opinion. Regardless, if Martin is a little bitch or not, that message was a little over the top from Incognito…teammate or not….there’s certain lines you don’t cross…Is everyone in the locker room is going around calling each other racially charged names and laughing about it, if not, its a problem!
And it explains why a lot of the Eagles veterans protected Riley Cooper. This is prevelant in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin had issues with multiple players on the team, not just suspended guard Richie Incognito, his agent told ESPN’s Mark Schwarz on Thursday.
I don’t mean to let the Cat out of the Bag about this Story Guys, but it’s about Martin’s “Lifestyle” issue’s with and not the fact that he’s Black.. Open your eyes fella’s and read between the lines..
yea you may be right…but the message was still over the top and uncalled for…that’s what I’m pointing out…could care less about a little bitch like Martin running to hospital because he’s been bullied..I’d expect you and some others to brush this shit to the side….
That message was totally out of line, no doubt about that and uncalled for …
Paulman. This is Black on black. Though it involves Richie Incognito directly, eveything that I am reading says that this guys was harassed by most of the offensive squad. Im not sure of the white to black ratio but im betting that the black players put Incognito up to continuing this beyond the the coaches instructions to “Toughen him Up”. When you have Mike Pouncey, and others designating Incognito “Honorary” Then you know it is about something else, not racism, but definitely discrimination against someone just for comming from more fortunate circumstances.
And Mike Pouncey is a DAMN THUG! just like his buddy Aaron Hernandez!
It;’s about MArtin’s reported “Gay Lifestyle” Theone.. Icognito is an ass, we all know that and he likes to agitate, bust balls, and stir up trouble etc,etc but he’s played his entire life with Black Athlettes and for all his faults, being a Racist’s is not one of them, per those Veterans who know him.. This is about the relentless Teasing and busting stones on a Players whose “Lifestyle” doesn’t fit a Locker Room Mentality in the NFL..
Dangit Paulman are you reading my post? I’m not saying that incognito is a racist. I’m saying the other black players are on some other shit when it comes to Martin. Incognito was just a pawn.
Holeup holeup News Flash Martin is…. Uh…. GAy? Explains a bunch.
There are some reports (unconfirmed of course) that these 2 had a “relationship” which explains most of what’s going on here…
Much to do about nothing I believe in the end once all comes out..
Theone1, & Paul, why do you think, Kerry Rhodes is being blackballed? He is better than any Safety we have, & on many other teams, but he isn’t even getting a sniff.
U don’t know if the guy is racist or not. Playing with black athletes doesn’t make you not racist. Now whether Maritn is gay or not I don’t know, but that would explain a lot.
I guess they have to get to the facts. When they know exactly what happened then things can get resolved. We don’t know all that happened, but I agree, it seems funny.
Irish, This type of shit is the only thing i would consider dumber than you LMAO>>>> buddy!
Paulman how the hell do you know he’s gay, maybe he’s just soft, sensitive
Cam Wake, Wallace give interviews and the piranha on ESPN start attacking them for their answers — not surprised the rest of the players turned on Martin for bringing a circus of media and lawyers into their locker room
stephen ross will probably get rid of both of them — like when Jeff Fisher and Vince Young started a fight that brought a circus of media and lawyers the owner Bud Adams got rid of both of them
Paulman, we all have to wade through your endless, often funny, often ridiculous, RUMORS. But to be acting as if you have some “inside knowledge” that Martin is homosexual is just wrong. He might very well be gay or not, and if that is the issue at the heart of the locker room problem don’t you think that the rock-head Incognito would have been throwing around the usual slurs?
You do realize who Martin’s roommate was at Stanford don’t you? Zach Ertz.
So, a queer, or queers have problems in an NFL locker room…Martin checks into a hospital for ‘treatment’.
Next will come the lawsuit for ‘harrassment in the workplace’.
Martin won’t have to play anymore and will get a settlement from theNFL…The NFL will begin a campaign for ‘sexual tolerance & LGBT awareness, …Lavender ribbons will go on every player’s uniform…Lurie. & Roseman will be leaders in the tolerance campaign.
The media has a field day.
Martin will also get a book deal and will go on the lecture circuit and the Anderson Cooper show.
Hey, better than dealing with Richie Incognito and the rest of those guys anyway…Smart career move.
Richie Incognito is a asshole and any of his teammates who are consigning are assholes as well. How would these assholes feel if the bullied one was one of their kids? And this is coming from a guy who s
Richie Incognito is a asshole and any of his teammates who are consigning are assholes as well. How would these assholes feel if the bullied one was one of their kids? And I have spent enough times in locker rooms to know that the coaches let Incognito loose on Martin.
I think you are right BL. I think there are coaches behind this, at least the OL coach if not the coordinator. I don’t know if the HC knew, but would not be suprised. Some heads are going to roll on this one.
Truthfully, if this stuff happens all the time as GCobb is trying to say above, I don’t know because I was never in an NFL locker room. I have however been part of a college football locker room and understand the hazing and general busting that goes on. I think that if Martin was a “soft” as they are saying, and some are saying that is why he lasted until the 2nd round, that their scouting department needs to be looked at for complete incompetence also. I know that they do physcological testing at the combine, and his lack of fire for the game or overall disinterest in playing was never discovered? I think that they had a plan to “toughen” him up from the very time they drafted him.
even with Tannehill being sacked the most in the NFL and 2 starters essentially off the team for the season Danny Watkins can’t sniff the field, LOL
Incognito is a racist POS, & Martin is punk @$$ bitch, for not smacking the $#!t of him! There is more to this story, than meets the eye. Martin has always been a lazy mutt, with character issues, & just speculating here, I think he plays for the other team, if you know what I mean. What 6’5″ 350 grown @$$ man, takes his ball & goes home, then checks himself into a treatment facility? It’s absurd! You can tell he was a coddled child. He wouldn’t have lasted in my hood, where busting on each other, & ball breaking, with your boys, & school yard kids, was a daily routine! The team, & the coaching staff have to take some responsibility, if it was out of hand! It’s ridiculous. Cover up your vagina & grow some balls Martin! GTFOH!!!! World of wusses, & cowards!
According to Martin’s lawyer, Martin was told by a teammate the following quote: “We are going to run train on your sister. . . . She loves me. I am going to f–k her without a condom and c-m in her c–t.”
I wonder if some of those teammates have Gcobb accounts
pheags, If that’s the case, he should have smashed whomever it was, in the face, & I guarantee you, it wouldn’t of happened again! I hate when someone brings your family into breaking balls, or insults. Like I said, he’s a weak @$$, poor excuse for a man. 6’5″ 350 lb punk. Playing a Gladiator sport, in a tutu!
Yes, there are some on here, that are like that. It’s a shame.
*Yes, there are some on here, that are like that. It’s a shame. They revert to insults, when they irrationally lose arguments, & don’t agree with you*
pot calling the kettle black…wow!
You shouldn’t talk weasel! Who brought up the Mom comment last week, you keyboard pussy? I only do it, to defend myself, against POS like you. So just STFU, & like I said before, keep your irrelevant comments to yourself, mind your f^#@ing business, & go kill yourself.
Oh you hypocrite classic DCAR frustration, anger and unfulfilled dreams. I never whined that people called people names when they were wrong and you are the biggest name caller on here… Hmmm wrong=juvenile name calling add in some ALL CAPS and some [€}^}%*
Whatever you say tootsie boy! Unfulfilled dreams? BWAHAHAHA! You know nothing about me, nor my dreams Son! I’m very happy with with my life & Family, with zero regrets. How about you, & your imaginary, pristine family & perfect, untouched children, that you bragged about? How’s your retirement, from your coaching & refereeing career, that you made up in your head, that you try to use to say you know more than all of us on here, when you disagree? GTFOH, you loser! Don’t waste my time, with your hypocritical, irrational, irrelevant, gibberish! You don’t know me, you ain’t better than me, & for sure don’t know more than me, so, as I’ve stated many times, mind your f^#@ing business, & go kill yourself.
BTW, you POS, I’ve never once attacked anyones Mom, nor family, when I’ve lost an argument, in which I’ve never have on here. I have, what most of you scumbag, internet gangster cowards don’t have, is respect for Women, & peoples families. If you want to attack me fine, if you bring up someones dead Mother, try saying it to their face! You are a condescending, irrational, hypocritical loser, punk, & if I ever met you, I’d smash your face in, just on principal. So go ahead, respond, call me a thug, an angry, unfulfilled frustrated whatever, but you won’t ever say to my face. You come off as someone who was bullied as a child, wasn’t paid much attention too, so you come on here, to irrationally argue, & lose, & condescendingly talk down to people. I ain’t $#!t, & never were $#!T! Don’t waste my time loser!
*You ain’t $#!t, & you eat $#!t!*