The Rise and Fall of an NFL Player

            The story of Richie Incognito has been a captivating one.  From the sudden and dramatic exit of teammate Jonathan Martin from the Miami Dolphins to four months worth of damaging voicemails, texts, and an independent report all pointing to Incognito as the instigator for the worst kind of workplace bullying, it’s filled the sports pages with a look into a locker room culture few are ever exposed to. It's also created an interesting case study into the damaging effects on reputation among sports figures in an age in which the news breaks quicker, social media allows for a digital imprint of bad behavior, and in which poor decision making can result in a nation-wide reprimand through online public attacks.

In today’s world you’re quickly judged in the realm of public opinion before you can often even respond to the story, and rectifying one’s online reputation can be daunting at best especially for those who were largely unknown before the damage was done.  Here’s a quick roundup of the events of the past four months to shed a light into the fall of Incognito’s reputation and the digital footprint it’s left behind:

 

·      News breaks Jonathan Martin has exited the Dolphins – ESPN’s source claims “he just snapped.”  http://es.pn/1jLvYZj

·      @jeffdarlington from NFL.com reports on Twitter: “Richie Incognito was advised by Joe Philbin tonight he has been indefinitely suspended by team while NFL investigates."

·      ESPN's Adam Schefter obtains transcript of threatening voicemail with racial slurs that Incognito allegedly left Martin.  http://huff.to/1mdq4Sz

·      More troubling new, police report surfaces, claims suspended Dolphins lineman Incognito harassed a women at a golf outing.  http://bit.ly/1fjAzlp

·      Incognito gives first interview to Fox Sports, claims “I am not a racist.”  http://foxs.pt/1oVMM3L

·      Jonathan Martin gives first interview to NBC, states he felt “trapped” by bullying. http://nbcnews.to/1fbwuwP

·      Over a 1,000 text messages between Incognito and Martin are made available, constant themes of racial discrimination, degradation of women, sexually explicit threats towards Martin's sister and mother, and harassing of teammates abound.  http://bit.ly/1boZdPG

·      Investigator Ted Wells commissioned by the NFL, produces 144 page report citing constant harassment and derogatory slurs of Martin, teammate, and assistant trainer, with Incognito as the main instigator alongside two other players.  http://on.nfl.com/1hadvnR

·      Richie Incognito takes to Twitter to respond to Wells Report asks to “stop the bullying” and angrily denounces Wells report before quitting Twitter.  http://usat.ly/1eWPiOr

·      Richie Incognito returns to Twitter on apologetic tour to fans, Martin, and agent. http://usat.ly/OdUFDW

·      NFL teams state few if any options remain for Incognito despite apologies.  http://usat.ly/1d48f27