Let me give you the football rap sheet on offensive lineman Richie Incognito. In 2009 he got into a verbal altercation with Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo after a game in which he picked up multiple penalties in a game. Incognito was waived a few days later. In college, Incognito also was suspended for the 2004 season at Nebraska for 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. Now, with the Miami Dolphins, Incognito has been suspended by the team for conduct detrimental to the team.
Incognito is being looked at 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 Miami Dolphins have suspended Richie Incognito for conduct detrimental to the team,” the team said in a statement released late Sunday night. “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.”
I’ve expressed concerns about this guy before. Â At what point does the NFL wake up and make examples of players like this. He is a player who has continually been flagged for unsportsmanlike penalties, accused of dirty play, late hits and has gotten into spats with former coaches and teammates. Yet, he continues to collect a paycheck from NFL teams.
There is no room for these type of players who have disregard for rules, sportsmanship and now this latest incident. If the allegations against harassment against Martin are true, Incognito should not only be suspended, but kicked out of the league.
