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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Somehow, Richie Incognito, a known clown, was appointed with the leadership role among the offensive line."
Jeff DeForrest from 940 WINZ
FACT OF THE DAY
Since the NFL began in 1920, the Miami Dolphins are the only team that has played a complete perfect season.
— ESPN
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: Who was the last quarterback to lead the Miami Dolphins to a playoff appearance?
A: Chad Pennington
ESPN
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THE MORNING BREW
Miami Dolphins' controversy comes to an end
How often do team locker rooms become the lead, the point of discussion for
the media? For the Miami Dolphins, it's been one of the most discussed sports stories among the media since early November, and the story has hit rock bottom recently.
It all started when left tackle Jonathan Martin departed from the team for "emotional" reasons, according to Pro Football Talk in late October. A few days later, it was reported that Dolphins right guard Richie Incognito was the cause of the "emotional" reasons that made Martin want to leave midway through the season.
This immediately led to the Dolphins suspending Incognito for conduct detrimental to the team. ESPN.com reported that Incognito sent copious text messages and voicemails to Martin, making threats against Martin and his family.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that Incognito has excessively sent Martin vulgar texts and voicemails since the two have become teammates in 2012. The most distressing message was sent in April of 2013 when Incognito threatened to slap Martin's mother and sent a death threat against Martin.
In an exclusive interview with FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, Incognito claimed he isn't a racist nor is bullying an issue between him and Martin, despite the label he's received. But Incognito said that before Martin's departure from the team, he received a text from Martin, writing that he will murder Incognito's whole family. Since November, fans and the media have pointed the finger at the Dolphins' front office. Although the front office rarely goes into a team's locker room, then-General Manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Joe Philbin should take a large part of the blame.
By Farzin Vousoughian sports@kansan.com
Philbin and his coaching staff designated Incognito as one of the leaders on the offensive line, despite his troubled past. By knowing what activities have given Incognito a bad reputation, Philbin should have known better than to hand a leadership role to a player who's regarded as a cancer, to which Incognito admitted in his exclusive interview with Glazer.
NFL investigator Ted Wells reported this month Incognito was the ringleader of the incidents, but teammates John Jerry and Mike Pouncey joined Incognito in putting down Martin. Martin was obstinately taunted and ridiculed disproportionately with sexually explicit comments about his mother and sister, in addition to other remarks and insults.
Throughout Incognito's suspension and while developing stories unfold, Incognito has been vocal on Twitter and called out nearly every sports media outlet for defamation. (By the way, going on a 'Twitter tirade never goes well.)
While Incognito has comfortably spoken
publicly about the incident, Martin has stayed away from the Dolphins' franchise since then, and he's avoided the topic on Twitter.
Under new Dolphins General Manager Dennis Hickey, the team can move forward from this by simply never allowing Martin and Incognito to play for the team again. The Dolphins can let Incognito walk because his contract is up.Meanwhile, the Dolphins would be wise to release Martin, even though he has two years left on his contract. Martin has been viewed as the victim, but he's also allegedly sent threats to Incognito.
Most incidents that occur in locker room settings that get reported are
As for Pouncey and jerry, who are no longer enjoying the offseason because of Ted Wells' report, it is up to Hickey as to whether or not he thinks the two can move past this and focus on turning around Miami into a winning team.
Let this be a lesson to everyone in a public workplace and not just the NFL or any professional sports team. There is no room for bullying and harassment anywhere, especially in a work setting. The Miami Dolphins found out the hard way. I can assure you that the Dolphins will watch their team closely and not let this happen a second time.
This week in athletics
Edited by Blair Sheade
Thursday
No events
Friday
Softball
Southern Illinois
University Edwardsville
10 a.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Softball
Southeastern Louisiana
University
12:30 p.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Men's golf
University of Wyoming
Desert Intercollegiate
All Day
Palm Desert, Calif.
Softball
Eastern Illinois
University
10 a.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Tennis
Kentucky
3 p.m.
Lexington, Ky.
Softball
Jackson State
University
4:15 p.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Women's basketball
Oklahoma
7 p.m.
Norman, Okla.
Men's basketball
Texas
6:30 p.m.
Lawrence
Baseball
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
9:30 a.m.
Port Charlotte, Fla.
Saturday
Men's golf
University of Wyoming
Desert Intercollegiate
All Day
Palm Desert, Calif.
Softball
Eastern Illinois
University
10 a.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Tennis
Kentucky
3 p.m.
Lexington, Ky.
Softball
Jackson State
University
4:15 p.m.
Jackson, Miss.
Women's basketball
Oklahoma
7 p.m.
Norman, Okla.
Men's basketball
Texas
6:30 p.m.
Lawrence
Sunday
Women's golf
Florida State Match Up
All Day
Tallahassee, Fla.
Softball
DePaul University
8 a.m.
Charleston, S.C.
Tennis
UT-Arlington
Noon
Lawrence
Monday
Baseball
St. Bonaventure
10 a.m.
Port Charlotte, Fla.
Men's basketball
Oklahoma
8 p.m.
Lawrence
Tuesday
No events
Wednesday
Women's basketball
Kansas State
7 p.m.
Lawrence
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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