This past weekend was definitely out-of-the-ordinary for the National Football League (NFL). There are charges of bullying by a fellow teammate, serious health issues for 2 head coaches, and a record-tying performance, by a relatively new starter at quarterback.
The bullying accusation has to do with 2 offensive linemen from the Miami Dolphins. Jonathan Martin, a right tackle, has produced text messages, and a particularly disturbing voicemail from the guy that lines up next to him at right guard, Richie Incognito. This voicemail, that is from April of this year, includes a racial slur and a death threat from Incognito directed at Martin. I know teammates don’t always get along, but this goes way beyond any disagreement or skirmish in the locker room.
When I first heard about the allegations, I thought what is wrong with this Martin guy? Reportedly Martin left the team after a prank on Monday in the cafeteria by fellow offensive linemen. This isn’t a 300 pound lineman picking on a 180 pound kick returner, these guys are both over 300 pounds. He should fight back. But after seeing the transcript of the voicemail, which also included Incognito saying he would slap Martin’s mother across the face, I can see that this a bigger problem. Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the Dolphins, and Martin says he will be away from the team for a couple of weeks. I’m sure much more of this story will surface in the coming weeks.
On Saturday, John Fox, the head coach of the Denver Broncos, felt dizzy while playing golf. He was taken to a hospital, and today underwent aortic valve replacement surgery in North Carolina. Fox, who is 58, was scheduled to have heart surgery after the season. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio will be the interim head coach of the Broncos while Fox recovers for the next several weeks. Del Rio was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-2011.
Last night, as the teams were heading to the locker room of the Houston Texans – Indianapolis Colts game, Texans’ head coach became Gary Kubiak became light-headed and dizzy, and went down to one knee on the sidelines. He was immediately attended to by medical staff, and was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher, and brought to a Houston hospital. It was reported later that Kubiak, who has no known health problems, did not have a heart attack. He is now stable and in good spirits, but will remain hospitalized for the next 24 hours for observation. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will be the interim head coach for the Texans. Let’s hope Fox and Kubiak recover nicely from their situations.
On the field Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles’ second year quarterback Nick Foles threw 7 touchdown passes in a 49-20 thumping of the Oakland Raiders. Foles, who has been battling Michael Vick for the starting job, for about the last year or so, was just coming back from a concussion, and a poor performance in the game before that against the Dallas Cowboys. When Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos threw for 7 touchdowns in the first week of the season, it wasn’t very surprising, but Foles doing it, was almost shocking. He was 22 of 28 passing, for 406 yards, and no interceptions. Only 7 quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown 7 touchdown passes in a game. It looks like the Eagles know who their quarterback of the future is now.
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