Bills’ Richie Incognito goes from bully to out of the league to the Pro Bowl
Bills guard Richie Incognito blocks for running back Mike Gillislee during the second half of a game against the Jets on Jan. 3.
A few years ago it would have been unthinkable. Last season, he wasn’t even in the league. But this is 2016, and Richie Incognito is headed to the Pro Bowl as an alternate for Arizona Cardinals guard Mike Iupati.
In 2013, Incognito was at the center of the Miami Dolphins’ bullying scandal in which Jonathan Martin claimed he was abused by his teammate. Martin appeared in seven games that year before choosing to sit out the rest of the season.
Incognito was suspended indefinitely for bullying and harassing his teammate. His suspension was lifted after the season ended and he was ultimately released by the Dolphins.
A league investigation by Ted Wells, who also led the Deflategate investigation of the Patriots, found that Incognito had created a venomous locker-room environment in Miami. Incognito has denied the report’s findings.
He sat out the 2014 season and remained unsigned until new Buffalo Bills Coach Rex Ryan gave Incognito another chance in the league.
Before signing with Buffalo, Ryan said he was going to “build a bully.” Incognito fit the mold, whatever that was.
Incognito started all 16 games for the Bills, who finished 8-8 this season. They led the league in yards rushing (2,432) and yards-per-carry (4.8) even though the team’s top running back, LeSean McCoy, sat out four games with injuries.
This will be Incognito’s second Pro Bowl appearance (2012).
Bills center Eric Wood and quarterback Tyrod Taylor were also named as replacement players for the Pro Bowl, which will take place Sunday in Honolulu.
Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme
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