Richie Incognito: Not A Bully, Will Fight Anyone Who Says Otherwise

Richie Incognito is facing very ugly allegations in Miami.

Last week it was reported that the Dolphins second-year offensive lineman Jonathan Martin had left Miami to deal with “emotional issues.” Details were scarce initially, with the team only confirming that his departure was due to a “non-football illness.”

The Dolphins organization haven’t offered up any additional information, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortenson have since expanded on the allegations that Martin had been the continued victim of bullying and harassment by teammates, dating back to his rookie season.

Jonathan Martin has lodged an official complaint.

Schefter cited several unnamed sources within the organization which pinpointed nine-year NFL veteran Richie Incognito as the ringleader of the harassment. One particular allegation is that Incognito compelled Martin to contribute $15,000 toward a trip to Las Vegas las summer, despite the fact that he “preferred not to travel with the group.”

Outside the treatment of Martin, who has filed an official complaint, it seems abuse of the rookies has become commonplace in Miami. On Sunday Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reported on the financial burden laid upon them by the veterans.

That’s good for morale…

Citing recent tweets from Jared Odrick and Will Davis, Beasley pointed to a team dinner over the weekend in which rookies were forced to pick up a $30,000 check. Said Odrick, “Everything tastes better when Rookies pay for it.”

One young defensive player said he’s “on his way to going broke because he has been unable to say no to the older players.” For obvious reasons, that player did not want to be identified.

The allegations get worse. According to Beasley’s source, many of the Dolphin vets are caught up in a “fast-paced Miami lifestyle” they simply cannot afford to sustain. So they’ve been using “younger players as ATMs to finance their nightlife whims.”

At the moment, the Dolphins story seems to be Incognito’s story.

Martin’s complain means there will be a full investigation into the allegations, but hopefully the NFL will take the lead because the Dolphins have been in coverup mode. That Incognito has been tweeting out their official statement is proof the team is favoring one side.

And it’s certainly not Martin’s.

Incognito has been anything but contrite since finding himself the subject of very unflattering headlines. He took to Twitter to defend himself, denying being a bully in the same breath as challenging Schefter to a fight.

It’s in all caps, so you know he’s serious.

He’s not a bully and he’ll kick your ass to prove it.

Well…”sources” seem to have good reason to be afraid to reveal themselves.

Jonathan Martin can, no doubt, say the same about an apology from Incognito.

It may be awhile before an investigation is concluded, but it’s clear there is something rotten happening in that locker room. There’s just too much smoke not to be a fire.

Incognito can rant and rave all he wants, though he’s doing himself no favors with his not-so-delicate way with words. Making a case for not being a bully by challenging anyone and everyone to a fight? That’s not normal.

Not normal…unless you’re a psychopath.

UPDATE: 

According to Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network:

This was tweeted at approximately 11: 20 EST.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports added this statement, indicating Incognito’s guilt—on some level—has already been recognized by the Dolphins.