It's time for NFL officials to give Incognito a break
So, let me get this straight. Former Miami Dolphins player Richie Incognito still isn't playing football because he bullied a 6-foot-5, 260-pound teammate, Jonathan Martin, who is now with the San Francisco 49ers.
At the time, it was reported there were others involved besides Incognito and Martin, such Mike Pouncey, who is still playing for the Dolphins.
Some people are surprised to hear that Denver, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh have entertained signing Incognito, but chose to stay clear after getting calls from the NFL. At the time of Incognito's suspension last season, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the NFL's 13th best guard.
Is Incognito, who played in the 2012 Pro Bowl, being blackballed by the league? Many think so while he continues to sit out.
Two 49ers players, Aldon Smith (suspended for nine games for violating the NFL's personal conduct and substance abuse policies) and Ray McDonald (arrested on charges of domestic abuse), are back playing the game.
I think it's a safe bet the Baltimore Raven's Ray Rice, now a household name because of a domestic abuse video involving his wife, and the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson, indicted on a charge of child abuse, will be playing before Richie Incognito, who bullied a grown man.
Some people are surprised Incognito is being blackballed, because in this country we believe in second chances and are viewed as a forgiving society, but that isn't always the case in the workplace. The double standards are there, whether it's in the NFL, working for a big corporation, in small businesses, or in the media world.
If rules are broken, some are given numerous chances and others may step out of line once and never get an opportunity again. If you have enough talent, it usually wins out, which is why the Incognito situation is puzzling.
Surely the NFL hierarchy, who wanted to give Rice only a two-game suspension, would welcome back Richie.
If a poll was taken among NFL fans about who should stay and who should go, would we be surprised?
I know if I had one guy to choose to sit out between Incognito, Peterson or Rice, my pick would be Peterson and it appears he will be out for the year.
But what about Incognito? It looks like some powerful people don't want him to play, but if the Denver Broncos want to win a Super Bowl this year, then maybe they should think about signing Incognito, who worked out for them this week.
No matter what, if you have enough talent in your field, someone will eventually pick you up, even if some try to stop it.
Personal notes:
• Condolences to the family of Pete Schmit, a St. Gertrude graduate and World War II veteran. He active in Chicago high school sports for 45 years at St. Patrick's and Immaculate Conception and was a member of the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame.
• Congrats to singer Tony Ocean, my pal, who is back on the strip at P.J. Clarke's on State and Division from 8-11 p.m. every Tuesday. Salute!
Program notes:
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