The NFL culture has to change.
That sentiment has been coming from the media in the wake of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito's reported treatment of teammate Jonathan Martin. But on Wednesday, a voice within the culture called for action.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall told the Chicago Sun-Times that football players have to mask their feelings and can't show any weaknesses.
"Look at it from this standpoint," Marshall told the newspaper. "You take a little boy and a little girl. A little boy falls down; the first thing we say as parents is, 'Get up. Shake it off. You'll be OK. Don't cry.' When the little girl falls down, what do we say? 'It's going to be OK.' We validate their feelings.
"So right there from that moment, we're teaching our men to mask their feelings, don't show their emotions. And it's that times 100 with football players. Can't show that you're hurt. Can't show any pain.
"So for a guy that comes in a locker room and shows a little vulnerability, that's a problem. That's what I mean by the culture of the NFL. And that's what we have to change."
Martin reportedly left the Dolphins last week to seek therapy after filing a complaint against the team and Incognito in particular. Incognito threatened Martin and used racial slurs in a voicemail he had left Martin.
The Sun-Times reported that Marshall knows how Martin feels, having dealt with his own mental health issue two years ago. He's also on friendly terms with Incognito, having played with him in Miami.
"We walk around saying the 'N-word' as black players, and it's not right, and we get offended when the white player says it," Marshall said. "That's on him - where his heart's at, when he says it. It doesn't make it right.
"But we can't jump down a guy's throat because he's saying it and he's white. Or the black guy's saying it too. Doesn't make it right."
Marshall suggested group therapy for teams. He said he hopes Martin receives the treatment he needs and hopes that Incognito can return to the NFL.
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