Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word “incognito” is: without revealing one’s identity.
So much for Webster!
The Miami Dolphins’ Richie Incognito has redefined the meaning and has brought the insidious definition of “bullying” to an indefinite level.
I find it hard to comprehend how a 6-foot-3-inch, 320-pound offensive guard can harass a 6-foot-5-inch, 312-pound offensive tackle. Is there something wrong with this picture?
Incognito, with his 4 million dollar yearly salary, has been suspended by the Dolphins for the alleged harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin ($607,466 a year).
Representatives of the NFL Players Association stated the following: “Richie Incognito filed a non-injury grievance against his employer, the Miami Dolphins, pursuant to his rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The grievance challenges his conduct, which was alleged to have occurred while he was with the club.”
In the grievance, Incognito wants to get back to the team and back to work. He’s losing $235,294.12 a week with his suspension.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Martin, who is basically AWOL from the Dolphins, plans to speak, along with his lawyer, with his team’s representatives.
It appears to me that the scenario of bullying has nothing to do with size.
Incognito recalls being made fun of because of his size and weight as a third grader. The insults consisted of name calling by his fellow classmates. Some of his schoolmates called him insulting names like “lardass” and “whale.”
He recalled his decision to fight back, punching one of his tormenters in the face. He claims that he was not proud of what he did, as a kid, and said he remembers being scared.
In the world of sports, it is assumed that someone with a mammoth stature is immune to psychological attacks. One assumption made by people, who are looking in from the outside, is that an athlete able to withstand physical force should have no problem handling emotional discomfort.
We really don’t know the whole story behind what went on between the two linemen, but we do know that both seem troubled. It also appears that the NFL has a faltered support system for the players and obviously the league has some work to do. Consider what has happened with players dealing with multiple problems, like the recent tragedy and example of Javon Belcher’s (Kansas City Chiefs) suicide on December 1, 2012. He shot himself after murdering his girlfriend.
There are many expected requirements for players that come from the fans and are taken for granted. The most prevalent is being thick-skinned and having the personality of a gladiator. Being superior in strength doesn’t make these humungous linemen less vulnerable to verbal abuse or racial name calling. They are as human as the next person! When internal verbal abuse happens within the team, it can be more hurtful, and of course, disrespectful.
As a team player, what Incognito did was cross the line—just like that third grader who called him a “whale.”
Critics are saying that this is football and these athletes are being paid a lot of money to go out and beat on each other. One reporter, whose name I don’t recall, said these guys are expected to “man up” and know there will be some razzing in the locker room. The life of pro football can be painful in many ways.
Here’s an interesting note: Incognito was on the Indianapolis Colts’ do-not-draft list because of his character. His profile showed that he had many demons throughout his life.
It sounds like this guy needed, and still does need, some emotional support. His issues with anger have been dragged from his childhood into adulthood.
As a teacher, I became very aware of the childhood experiences that left some psychological scarring on some of my students. Their memories were painful and not forgotten.
The Dolphins have had other players with problems, who were dealing with the life of pro football, and the franchise had the same inability and resources to aid them with their emotional issues. This problem has become a prevalent scenario in the pro game and it’s not just Miami’s lack of attention.
Signing these kids to multimillion dollar contracts, giving them the opportunity of new wealth, can be a big part of the multitude of changes in an individual’s life.
“Living the dream” may have a psychological impact on these athletes and with that sometimes there comes the feeling of superiority. Not mainly from the gladiator-type sport of football, but maybe it’s the sudden wealth and fame?
There is so much more to this that we don’t know and with all the money that these NFL franchises have, the least they could do is understand what effect fame can have on the athletes they hired.
The fans must remember that there is a person inside of the football helmet and that they are as human as we are. It’s time for these billion dollar franchises to humanize their approach of drafting future star athletes. They need to prepare and treat their investments for a new way of life.
