When you hear "NFL," you think over-paid prima donnas, right? The last thing that comes to mind is the NFL's bullying culture. Think about; how can you bully a guy who can squash you like a bug? In the case of Miami Dolphin offensive linemen Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, bullying has taken center stage. According to ESPN’s Adam Scheffter and numerous other journalists, Richie Incognito bullied and harassed rookie Jonathan Martin so badly that Martin left the team to seek counseling. Incognito is alleged to have sent threatening and racially charged text messages to Martin. Numerous current and former players have come forward, both in defense of and vilifying Martin. Players say that this kind of behavior is a part of all NFL locker rooms.
This being a part of all locker rooms is the real problem. Has the NFL, its coaches, players and personnel fostered a culture accepting of racism, harassment and bullying? The NFL is conducting its own investigation into the matter, but it raises the other question; why are coaches allowing this behavior? Some have argued that the NFL does not have a PR problem, but a reality problem. I believe that it has problems with both. Not that this problem has been brought to light, how will players be able to trust one another going forward? Aside from overseeing all locker room activity, there is no way to stop the bullying.
That can the NFL do to clean up what goes on in the locker room and make it more of a professional setting?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/richie-incognito-bullying-allegations-are-the-latest-in-long-list-of-nfl-problems/2013/11/06/a29f48a0-46fe-11e3-b6f8-3782ff6cb769_story.html
The only way for the NFL to fix these types of problems is to create punishments that fit the various violations of league and moral codes. Sadly, it seems like the only possible punishment that might cause changes are monetary ones. Fining and suspending the players, as well as fining or punishing the team might be the only way to go. The fines would have to be substantial to make an impact, however, as these players and teams make more than any of us will see in a lifetime. The other problem is that because the NFL is such a money making machine, and it wants to stay that way, it is more likely to overlook egregious acts by its athletes.
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