The Miami Dolphins Hall of Shame: 5 initial inductees
#4 Richie Incognito and the Bullygate scandal
Not everyone on this list will be here because of performance. That surely wasn’t Incognito’s problem, in fact, he was one of the best guards to come through Miami in the past fifteen years. Incognito lands on this list because of the environment he created and cultivated in Miami’s locker room.
What did he do?
Incognito (along with Mike Pouncey and John Jerry) used homophobic and racial slurs to single out two players and an assistant trainer. One of those players was Jonathan Martin. Martin had his own struggles with mental health and the hostile environment caused him to leave the team in October of 2013. Following Martin’s departure, independent investigator Ted Wells released a 144-page report detailing the inappropriate behavior that went on. Incognito would be suspended and then later released from the team. He also sat out the entire 2014 season.
Where is he now?
Believe it or not, at 38, Incognito is still playing in the NFL. He went on to have numerous pro bowl seasons in Buffalo after his departure from Miami and is currently a Raider. He, unfortunately, has had his own struggles with mental health and there have been a few flare-ups over the years.
What lesson can be learned?
First off, I played sports my entire life, I served in the military, I’ve been around my fair share of hazing or tough environments. That sort of “tough love” isn’t going anywhere, but there has to be a line that doesn’t get crossed. You can be hard on the people coming up without attacking them personally or physically harassing them.
This was also an indictment on Joe Philbin and the entire organization at that time. His not knowing that it was going on is a pretty bad excuse. As a head coach, it’s your job to know what’s going on with your players. Maybe spend some time with the big guys here and there?
Also, you never know what people are going through, so treat others with kindness when possible.