(Photo courtesy of the Miami Sun-Sentinel)
And you thought bullies existed only in schools.
Late last week, Miami Dolphins’ offensive lineman Jonathan Martin stormed out of the team’s lunch room following hazing at the hands of some fellow teammates.
On the surface, it appeared as if Martin couldn’t take a simple joke.
As it so happens, Martin’s situation wasn’t merely a case of teammates exchanging friendly barbs or jovial fun. Martin fell victim to an ongoing exchange of bullying, intimidation and disrespect at the hands of fellow lineman Richie Incognito.
As has already been reported, Incognito left a number of voice mails and text messages for Martin that contained threatening language laced with racial epithets and inappropriate language.
Incognito’s actions are a grim example of bullying at its worst.
These are the actions of a football player with a proud history of cheap shots, intimidating acts and loathsome behavior. Once the Dolphins discovered the nature of the messages left for Martin, they suspended the former Pro Bowl guard indefinitely. As for Martin, he hasn’t indicated whether or not he’ll return to the team.
More importantly, though, this is another black eye for the NFL as it attempts to recuperate its’ public image following the recent concussion lawsuit and ongoing player arrests.
But is this an isolated case between one big jerk and one soft-spoken guy who wouldn’t squash an ant on a picnic table? Or is this a sign of bigger problems to come yet again for the NFL?
Rarely, if at all, has a case like this landed on the desk of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. After all, cases of hazing and public pranks are a part of the NFL landscape. Nearly every NFL rookie has had to endure some kind of humiliation; in a way, it is a player’s right-of-passage into the manliest of all sports.
But in Martin’s case, this isn’t about wearing a hula grass skirt and coconut bra while singing, “Copacabana” in front of teammates and coaches.
This is about lascivious behavior committed by one person on another. It's a form of intimidation, cowardly behavior and lack of respect in the worst way.
ESPN NFL analyst Adam Schefter tweeted a few examples of Incognito’s texts that included Incognito using the “N” word and other vocabulary that I can’t repeat in this column.
Even though the Dolphins have already taken action on this case, they have contacted the NFL about a league investigation into their locker room culture. And the NFLPA is likely to conduct an investigation of its own.
As for the future of the victim of this heinous act, Jonathan Martin, his career, and possibly his life, will never be the same.
When, if ever, will he resume his career? And will it be with the Dolphins? Will he continue to be the butt of all jokes or will his teammates welcome him back with open arms?
There are so many questions that still have to be answered. And until they are, Martin will remain the silent victim of a loud case.
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