The situation involving Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito continues to get worse and now players are speaking out against the bullying taking place in the league. Head coach Joe Philbin ha suspended the veteran after he reportedly sent hateful and obscene text messages to teammate Jonathan Martin. Despite the suspension, some players feel he should be kicked out of the league all together.
Former linebacker Bart Scott is calling for Incognito's release from the NFL. In an interview on ESPN's 98.7 FM, Scott called for commissioner Roger Goodell to step up and kick Incognito out of the league, saying no one will miss him.
"It doesn't surprise me one bit. He's a fake tough guy. He's a guy that suffers from mood swings, if you know what I mean. That's something we've always known," said Scott. "One of the dirtiest players, if not the dirtiest player I've ever played against. Take it to a point where you're harassing him by phone? You got to be some type of loser in your spare time away from the building you want to call me and leave threatening messages and text messages on my phone. That's taking bullying to a whole other level."
Scott has plenty of experience facing the Dolphins offensive lineman. The linebacker once threw a punch at Incognito following a game. He notes that the league is lucky Incognito did not take things any further because the situation could have been much worse.
One player speaking out on bullying all together is New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara who endured a hazing incident by teammate Jason Pierre-Paul last season. However, he is claiming that was not bullying like the Dolphins incident, noting it was all done in fun where Incognito's motives were malicious.
"Last year, with what I went through, I'm still sticking to my story. That wasn't bullying at all," Amukamara said, via ESPN.com. "That was just fun in the locker room. I definitely do feel safe in my workplace. And if I didn't feel safe in my workplace, I would have definitely said something to other players or to my coaches."
Philbin addressed the media following the suspension of the offensive lineman, stating the locker room has discussed the situation at length. He believes that everyone needs to hold themselves up to higher standards that were not being met by Incognito.
"When they walk in those doors, I have a certain expectations," Philbin said. "That the administration, the teachers, the staff are going to create a safe atmosphere where my children can learn and develop as people. And this is no different. I take this responsibility very seriously. If the review shows that this is not a safe atmosphere, I'll take whatever measures necessary to make sure that it is."