The NFL yesterday released its 144-page investigative report into the alleged bullying that drove Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin to leave the team. At the center of the report was Richie Incognito, whom radio host Larry Elder says was “double-crossed” by his teammates.
FLASHBACK: "Incognito Considered ‘An Honorary Black Man’ By Teammates"
Now he's a an epithet-spewing "bully." UNFAIR!http://t.co/HIy8BPjjNg— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
Are any of the black Miami Dolphins players, who made Richie Incognito an "honorary black man," going to stand up publicly for their friend?
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
Most disturbing in the Incognito Report is not the language directed at each other–but the way both Martin & Incognito talked about women.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
NFL 70% black. Players use "racially charged language" in a culture that encourages "bullying." Now they're "shocked"! Richie takes fall.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
The report concludes that it’s unclear what role race had to play in the harassment, even calling Incognito and two other players “equal opportunity harassers”:
But the issue of whether Incognito’s ultimate motivation for his persistent harassment of Martin was in part racial animus is complicated by the fact that John Jerry (who is black) and Mike Pouncey (who is bi-racial) often joined Incognito in the abusive behavior. Presumably, they would not have followed Incognito’s lead if they thought he had selected Martin for abuse out of racial animus. It also is significant that Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey subjected a number of other linemen to harsh treatment. Most are black, but at least one is white (Nate Garner). Indeed, many players thought Garner was treated the worst. This suggests that Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey were equal opportunity harassers.
Recommended
Incognito Report Inconvenient Fact (pg. 81): "[Nate] Garner, who is white, confirmed reports that he was often mocked by Incognito…"
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
Incognito is NFL's Barry Bonds. Both wrong, but widespread behavior tolerated/encouraged/ignored by league. Winds change. They take fall.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
@larryelder @GammySparkles Exactly. And if @68Incognito was getting good advice, he would recognize the changing winds and get ahead of them
— Tony Howard (@TonyThoward2007) February 15, 2014
@larryelder @GammySparkles instead by denying the allegations, he lets the winds knock him over by acting like the bully he claims not to be
— Tony Howard (@TonyThoward2007) February 15, 2014
@TonyThoward2007 @GammySparkles Incognito, unlike Bonds, denies nothing. Says team, including blacks, knew of and encouraged the bullying.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
As with Bonds, Incognito's behavior tolerated/encourage/ignored. Unlike Bonds, Richie denies nada. Says team ok'd bullying–'til it didn't.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 15, 2014
Related:
‘See you on the other side’: Richie Incognito deletes Twitter account
‘Truth is going to bury you’: Richie Incognito blasts Jonathan Martin; ‘Bullying’ report pending
Richie Incognito, now suspended from Dolphins, quotes Buddha
Join the conversation as a VIP Member