Typically you read my written words here and either nod in agreement or nod the other way and you are not happy with me. This week you are being provided with information from other sources on the topic of bullying. Specifically the case going in the N.F.L. reportedly on the Miami Dolphins between Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito.
The media has a lot of coverage on this story – If you are not aware of this story, here are a couple of links for you to check out:
- http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57610837/miami-dolphins-bullying-scandal-nfl-investigating-richie-incognito-for-allegedly-harassing-rookie-jonathan-martin/
- http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9924206/miami-dolphins-suspend-richie-incognito-indefinitely-connection-jonathan-martin-incident
Quote from the New York Times:
For years, young players in the N.F.L. have been subjected to a wide swath of indignities straight from the hallways of high school or the back rooms of fraternity houses. Young players are often expected to carry teammates’ equipment off the field. They are sometimes forced to sing or otherwise entertain teammates on demand, left helplessly taped to goal posts or asked to regularly bring sandwiches or fast food to teammates.
They are often called names — Incognito referred to Martin, privately and publicly, as the Big Weirdo. In the glossy program sold at the Dolphins’ Halloween night home game, after Martin left the team, Incognito called Martin the “easiest teammate to scare.” ESPN and The Associated Press, among other outlets, citing unnamed sources, have reported that Incognito sent threatening and racist voice mail and text messages to Martin.
Source: New York Times – Full story here – http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/sports/football/for-the-nfl-a-question-of-hazing-or–abuse.html?_r=0
You are being asked to read through one or more of these stories and then provide your thoughts on the incident. We have as a society presumed the act of bullying was a middle school and high school event of the big kids to the little kids or the cute girls vs. the other girls. These are big, huge, strong, grown men. What do you think about it?
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
