IMO, racism is never casual and homophobia one of the biggest wastes if energy there is. So my answer is that neither is ever acceptable.

If that's the case (and like you, I find the fact that such things are embedded in NFL culture disgusting), you're going to have to start kicking out way more in this league than just Richie Incognito.

Poor Richie

I'm cool with that. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go start an Internet rumor that Peyton Manning is a racist homophobe.

He'll not make it anyway. His bulling texts will be used against him by someone who's been bullied before. He will be someone's sweet revenge

Thank god Mrs Buehler445 and I aren't the only ones that engage in playful banter back and forth. I was starting to worry. I think it's funnier than hell when she fires both barrels. I'm like you though, it's all in fun. When it's time to be serious we're serious.

You really think if he's on with another team he's going to say those type things ever again?

Incognito will be used as an example and a scapegoat. That was plain to see in how Wells framed his words. Incognito was supposed to know that his words were hurtful even though Martin was firing back, because telepathy. Martin, though, was not supposed to know that firing back would lead the other person to think there was actual banter going on, because feelbad.

So Incognito will be the whipping boy, Martin will be the Martyr, the Dolphins and the league will have their hall pass, and Goodell will have his hammer for use against the players. :thumb:

I won't matter. What he said and texted is out there for all the players to see. I'm sure all the black NFL players are going to be OK with him calling Martin a ****er. He is done in the league.

In the modern era, though, I think that some racist and homophobic comments are not really made to be racist or homophobic, but rather because the offender likes the shock value of talking about something that is not supposed to be talked about.

Do we really think that Richie Incognito hates black people? Or is it just a way to be "cutting edge" and show how tough and confident you are that you can make jokes about off-limits stuff? I could see either or both being correct, but I'd probably lay more money on the second explanation as the main catalyst.

And everyone in power positions will live happily ever after.

Joe Posnanski ‏@JPosnanski 3m
That Richie Incognito thought this report would exonerate him, knowing what he admitted to, is the new definition of insanity.

Exactly this, not that it excuses it. My friends and I also do stuff like this being ironic/sarcastic. Like, we'll almost adopt personas when we're ****ing with each other and we're simultaneously making fun of each other and making fun of the "persona" that we're adopting to do the hazing.

I just perused the texts between the two. Sounds like juvenile banter to me.

Bingo. And that's why I don't think Incognito is in any way uncommon in this culture.

Sure will. Lets make sure if we start kicking people out that everyone is included in the process. Nobody should be allowed a free pass because of some lame definition that minorities, by definition, cant initiate racist behavior or that using certain racial slurs is acceptable because its an accepted part of a culture. The league is 70% African American and I'm sure they say the same stupid shit. If you really want to stop it, everyone needs to stop partaking in it. Just my take...