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New York Giants' safety Antrel Rolle caused a stir Tuesday when he said on WFAN that Jonathan Martin was "just as much to blame" as Richie Incognito for the bullying situation with the Miami Dolphins because "he's allowed it to happen."
A New Jersey attorney said Rolle "should be disciplined by the Giants" for his comments.
Rolle later clarified his comments:
"Never said bullying is acceptable under any means," he tweeted. "It's dead ass wrong. But in this world in general people will do what u allow them to do."
"I am very sympathetic for Martin and if he was my teammate that would have never took place. That I can assure. A team is a team of brothers."
There are probably many people who share Rolle's belief that Martin should have stood up for himself long before he did. We don't know Martin or Incognito and we aren't in the Dolphins' locker room, so none of us knows exactly what went on or why. I think we should be able to agree that conduct that demeans another person is unacceptable, and leave it at that.
Before we move on, here are a couple of other hazing-related links.
The Star-Ledger reviews Tom Coughlin's reaction to last season's cold tub incident with Prince Amukamara, where Coughlin reportedly told his team "Don’t do anything that can hurt another player."
The New York Times wonders if coaches actually have any control over the locker room environment.
Now, let's move on.
Unfortunately, we start with another off-the-field story. Stephen Mara, grandson of the late Wellington Mara, has been charged with arson in connection with a pair of recent fires.
ESPN acknowledges that the Giants have an opportunity in the second half of the season, but wonders if they are good enough to take advantage of it.
Pat Traina breaks down some of the Giants' issues on special teams.