Bullying in the NFL

While bullying has gotten our attention within recent times it has been believed to be an issue restricted to our school age population.  However the information spilling out of the Miami Dolphin locker room this week has made us all cognizant that adults too can be bullied.

Jonathan Martin, a second year lineman, has accused teammate Richie Incognito of extreme mental abuse.  Incognito, a nine year veteran of three teams, is alleged to have sent sinister and racially charged E-Mails and voice messages to Martin.  In them he purportedly threatened to harm Martin’s family and to even kill Martin himself.  According to reports, Martin feared for his safety and felt that leaving the team was his only option.  The report also alleges that Incognito had force Martin to pay $15,000 to finance a player’s trip to Los Vegas as part of a rookie hazing incident.

While many in sports believe that hazing is a part of becoming accepted into some fraternity of players what took place on the Dolphins went far beyond.  Threatening a person’s safety and that of his family is criminal.  It cannot be condoned and must not be tolerated.   The Dolphins have indefinitely suspended Incognito for his actions and have invited the NFL to join their internal investigation.

Eyes will be focused on NFL official to see what action will be taken…