This week, the Benchwarmer talks about bullying in the NFL. To find more background on the Miami Dolphins scandal and what’s going to happen next, follow the links below:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nflpa-to-miami-dolphins-bullying-scandal-investigation-112013
In classrooms across America, from elementary schools to high schools, there has been a targeted effort to stop bullying. At Rice Elementary School, students and teachers—including yours truly—stand up to bullying every Thursday by wearing red shirts. These shirts remind us that we all have one goal: to provide a safe campus free from bullying and harm. The students wear their shirts faithfully and seem to have a better understanding of the effects of bullying.
It would also seem that these children have a better understanding of bullying than certain players in the National Football League. In sports news over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of talk surrounding the Miami Dolphins and accusations of bullying. One Thursday before work, as I was donning my red T-shirt, the bullying scandal appeared on the morning news. Being a para-educator, I decided this was a perfect real-life teaching moment that I would present to my supervising teacher for class discussion.
So the teacher and I shared with our students the details behind Dolphin player John Martin’s accusations against his teammates of repeated harassment.
The issue with Miami has been a mystery since it entered the media spotlight. According to a recent article with the New York Times, Martin, an offensive lineman in his second season with the Dolphins, walked away from practice in late October and has yet to return to his team.
It was later revealed that teammate Richie Incognito, a fellow offensive lineman, was the primary reason for Martin’s abrupt departure.
Incognito is no stranger to the negative limelight, with a history of dirty play and rough behavior both on and off the field. This time around, the lineman has upped the ante with alleged racial slurs, threatening texts, and inappropriate name-calling. The Times reports that Incognito publicly referred to Martin as the “Big Weirdo” and that he was the “easiest teammate to scare.”
The Times also reports that last year, Martin and a handful of other rookie Dolphins were subjected to embarrassing haircuts at the hands of Incognito and other veteran players. The prank that broke Martin’s back, so to speak, took place in the team lunchroom and has been referred to as a “common, silly prank” played on rookies. One day in October, the offensive linemen table was full except for one seat. Reports state that Incognito told the rest of his teammates that when Martin got to the table they would pick up all their trays and leave the lunchroom. When this happened, Martin evidently threw down his lunch tray and walked out.
Teachers, as part of the anti-bullying campaign, tell children if they feel they are being treated unfairly or are in danger, to speak up and tell an adult. But that day in class we asked the students what an adult like Martin should do if he is bullied. And what should happen to the bullies on his team? The questions ignited a flood of responses from the students:
“I think someone else on the team should have nicely told the bully to stop and help him see that what he was doing was wrong,” one student said.
As for punishment, another said, “I think they shouldn’t be allowed to play any more or they shouldn’t make so much money!”
Out of the mouths of babes, as they say. So simple, and yet so perfectly true.
As of press time, the Times reported that Incognito has been suspended indefinitely while the investigation is underway. As for Martin, he said the hazing and bullying has been unbearable for him since his rookie season. While he wants to return to football, he doesn’t think he can return to Miami. And in an incredibly disconcerting turn of events, the team members have reportedly rallied around Incognito and are denying the validity of Martin’s claims.
This recent scandal has brought to light the dirty and humiliating aspects of locker room culture in the NFL, which is blindly supported by coaches who view the acts as a rite of passage. The Miami Dolphins coaching staff reportedly thought the bullying would “toughen Martin up.” Coaches’ only advice to the player was that he should physically defend himself.
Good one, coaches—respond to violence with more violence because that’s the best way to solve problems.
Any kindergartener can tell you that’s a ridiculous and dangerous notion.
The NFL obviously has a serious issue that needs to be addressed: All parties involved need to distinguish harmless pranks from harmful bullying. Perhaps my students could give them some step-by-step coaching?
The issue is not whether Incognito is innocent or whether Martin is lying. It’s the pure and simple fact that there are professional athletes—mind the word “professional”—being paid millions of dollars to essentially torment each other and to set a bad example for the children across the nation who look up to them as role models.
Bullying is a topic I am sensitive about, largely for personal reasons. In addition to being bullied throughout elementary school, I endured some hazing while playing sports. I know first-hand the detrimental effect of feeling isolated from the people who are supposed to support you in your athletic endeavors. Bullying might be a problem that stems from self-esteem issues and lack of compassion, but it’s a behavior I do not tolerate, and neither should others.
Professional football players aren’t wimps. Therefore, whatever Martin—all 6-feet-5-inches, 312 pounds of him—allegedly endured with his teammates was enough to make this tough man cringe away from the sport he loves.
This whole situation, sports fans, takes us back to the issue of accountability in professional sports and the reasons why athletes are supposed to be there. I believe many athletes have lost sight of their true roles. There are some professional players sending the message to young children and aspiring athletes that you can essentially do whatever you want because you are physically gifted and are being paid exorbitant amounts of money. From drunk driving, to dogfights, shootings, and drug use, there is evidently no crime too big for professional athletes.
These “role models” are leading their fans, young and old, to believe that there are no consequences for harming another person. Being a part of a team or organization is supposed to keep kids safe from bullies and boost their self-esteem. Bullying is not an acceptable method for toughening someone up or building confidence, and it has no place in a locker room, classroom, or home.
Bullying is a problem that can’t be swept under the rug. People’s well-being, careers, and integrity are at stake. But as long as we continue to turn our heads, abandon our courage, and rally around the bully, there will surely be more cases similar to that of John Martin.
But what do I know? I’m just a Benchwarmer.
Staff Writer Kristina Sewell stands up to bullying. Contact her at ksewell@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 4, 2013.
