By Budd Bailey, Buffalo Sports Page Columnist
Richie Incognito – Signed by the Bills in 2009 and 2015
The Internet is hardly big enough to sum up the unusual football career of Richie Incognito. It’s a story that might take a few more years to sort out. But since he stopped in Buffalo a couple of times, it’s worth exploring.
Incognito came out of college as a tremendous physical specimen who had displayed some behavioral problems along the way. The offensive lineman moved right into the starting lineup as a rookie for the Rams. By 2009, the Rams had tired of Incognito’s inability to control his emotions. The Bills signed him, and he played in three games at the end of the season. Buffalo opted not to pick him up for 2010.
It was on to Miami from there. Incognito was a starting guard for the Dolphins for almost four seasons. But in 2013, he was suspended for his treatment of teammate Jonathan Martin. Incognito sat out the entire 2014 season, but signed with the Bills for about $1 million for 2015. It worked. The guard made the Pro Bowl and agreed to a new three-year contract worth $15 million. Incognito was back in the Pro Bowl in 2016 and 2017. But he announced his retirement after the 2017 season, citing medical issues and some dissatisfaction with his contract. The Bills eventually released him, and Incognito took a year off before signing with the Raiders. All in all, it’s been quite a ride.
Here’s a feature on him from his time in Buffalo.
(Follow Budd on Twitter @WDX2BB)
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