History of Richie Incognito in Timeline

Richard "Richie" Incognito Jr. is a former American professional football guard in the NFL. Drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2005 after playing college football for Nebraska, he also played for the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Oakland Raiders. He earned four Pro Bowl selections during his career. He retired once, returned, and then retired again after playing three seasons with the Raiders.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 5, 1983: Richie Incognito Born

On July 5, 1983, Richard Dominik Incognito Jr. was born. He would later become a professional football player in the NFL.

2000: Helped team to state playoffs

In 2000, Richie Incognito, playing offense and defense at Mountain Ridge High School, helped the Mountain Lions to an 8-4 record and the first round of the state playoffs.

2001: Redshirted at Nebraska

In 2001, Richie Incognito redshirted at the University of Nebraska.

2002: Started as Freshman

In 2002, Richie Incognito became the first Husker freshman offensive lineman to start in the season opener.

2002: Behavioral Problems

In 2002, Richie Incognito displayed behavioral problems, including hitting a teammate, being accused of spitting on an opponent, and being ejected from a game.

2003: Suspended and Sent to Menninger Clinic

In 2003, Richie Incognito was suspended from the team and sent to the Menninger Clinic for anger management treatment after a fight during practice.

2003: Rams offensive line

Richie Incognito was part of the Rams offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks since 2003.

February 2004: Charged with assault

In February 2004, Richie Incognito was involved in a fight at a party and was charged with three counts of assault.

2005: Concerns at NFL Combine

During the 2005 NFL Combine, Richie Incognito's emotional control issues were highlighted as a major concern by ESPN Scouts Inc., potentially affecting his draft position. Some teams even had him on a "do not draft" list.

2005: Drafted by the St. Louis Rams

In 2005, Richie Incognito was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the NFL draft.

2005: Rookie Season with Rams

In 2005, Richie Incognito's rookie season with the St. Louis Rams saw him on the reserved/unsigned list until Week 3, then placed on the non-football injury list for the remainder of the season.

2006: Penalties with the Rams

From 2006 to 2009, Richie Incognito drew 38 penalties.

2008: Restricted Free Agent

Following the 2008 season, Richie Incognito became a restricted free agent and continued to work out with the Rams.

April 17, 2009: Tender Offered by the Rams

On April 17, 2009, the Rams offered Richie Incognito a one-year tender worth $1.01 million.

2009: Penalties with the Rams

From 2006 to 2009, Richie Incognito drew 38 penalties.

2009: NFL Players Vote Incognito 'Dirtiest Player'

In 2009, NFL players voted Richie Incognito the dirtiest player in the league, according to a Sporting News poll.

2009: Left the St. Louis Rams

Richie Incognito played for the St. Louis Rams until the 2009 season.

March 17, 2010: Signed with the Dolphins

On March 17, 2010, Richie Incognito signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.

2011: Re-signed with Dolphins

In 2011, Richie Incognito re-signed with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year deal.

December 7, 2012: Incognito Involved in Pearl Harbor Incident

On December 7, 2012, Richie Incognito, along with John Jerry and Mike Pouncey, donned traditional Japanese headbands featuring a rising sun emblem and jokingly threatened to harm an assistant trainer physically in retaliation for the Pearl Harbor attack.

2012: Incognito Hosts Screening for Operation Homefront

During the 2012 season, Richie Incognito hosted a private screening and book reading of the animated film Rise of the Guardians for Operation Homefront, where he led a book reading to over 100 children before the screening of the film.

2012: Pro Bowl Selection and Good Guy Award

In 2012, Richie Incognito made his first Pro Bowl appearance and won the Good Guy Award.

April 2013: Incognito's Voicemail Leads to Suspension

In April 2013, Richie Incognito left a highly graphic voicemail for Jonathan Martin. The voicemail contained racial slurs, threats against Martin's mother, and a death threat. Upon hearing the voicemail, the Dolphins immediately suspended Incognito indefinitely.

November 3, 2013: Suspended by the Dolphins

On November 3, 2013, Richie Incognito was suspended by the Miami Dolphins for conduct detrimental to the team after allegedly harassing teammate Jonathan Martin.

November 2013: Reported Harassment Allegations

In November 2013, ESPN reported on Richie Incognito's alleged role in the harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin, leading to controversy and denials from Incognito.

2013: Devaney spoke on Incognito

In 2013, Billy Devaney told ESPN that Steve Spagnuolo had given Incognito numerous chances.

2013: Incognito Allegedly Pressured Martin to Contribute to Las Vegas Trip

In the summer of 2013, Richie Incognito allegedly pressured Jonathan Martin to contribute $15,000 to finance a trip to Las Vegas with other Dolphins players. Martin reportedly did so fearing negative repercussions if he refused.

February 3, 2014: Text Messages Leaked

On February 3, 2014, text messages between Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito were leaked. These messages were thought to support the idea that the two were friends and did not depict harassment or bullying.

February 4, 2014: Incognito's Suspension Lifted

On February 4, 2014, Richie Incognito's suspension from the Miami Dolphins was lifted.

February 14, 2014: Ted Wells Releases Report on Bullying Allegations

On February 14, 2014, lawyer Ted Wells released a report concluding that Richie Incognito, along with John Jerry and Mike Pouncey, bullied Jonathan Martin, another Dolphins offensive lineman, and an assistant trainer.

2014: Did not play

Richie Incognito did not play during the entire 2014 NFL season.

February 7, 2015: Signed with Buffalo Bills

On February 7, 2015, Richie Incognito signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills.

2015: Incognito Signs with Buffalo Bills

In 2015, after sitting out the 2014 season, Richie Incognito signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was seen as an "ultimate professional" and "quickly became a locker room favorite".

March 8, 2016: Agreed to deal with Bills

On March 8, 2016, Richie Incognito agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

2016: Ranked on NFL Top 100

In 2016, Richie Incognito was ranked 97th on the NFL Top 100 Players list by his fellow players.

December 19, 2017: Named to fourth Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Richie Incognito was named to his fourth Pro Bowl after starting all 16 games at left guard for the Buffalo Bills.

April 13, 2018: Change of heart about retirement

On April 13, 2018, Richie Incognito announced he had a change of heart and would show up to offseason workouts on April 16, 2018.

April 16, 2018: Failed to arrive for workouts

On April 16, 2018, Richie Incognito failed to arrive for offseason workouts.

May 21, 2018: Released from reserve/retired list

On May 21, 2018, the Buffalo Bills released Richie Incognito from the reserve/retired list.

May 23, 2018: Incognito Placed on Involuntary Psychiatric Hold

On May 23, 2018, Richie Incognito was placed on an "involuntary psychiatric hold" for his part in an altercation at a Life Time Fitness health club in Boca Raton, Florida.

August 20, 2018: Incognito Arrested After Funeral Home Incident

On August 20, 2018, Richie Incognito was arrested after an incident at a funeral home where he threatened to shoot employees while making funeral arrangements for his father. He was charged with disorderly conduct and making threats.

2018: Intent to retire

In 2018, Richie Incognito announced his intent to retire from the NFL, citing health concerns and dissatisfaction with his contract.

2018: Sat out the 2018 season

Richie Incognito sat out the 2018 NFL season before returning to play for the Oakland Raiders.

May 28, 2019: Signed with the Raiders

On May 28, 2019, Richie Incognito signed with the Oakland Raiders.

July 12, 2019: Suspended by the NFL

On July 12, 2019, Richie Incognito was suspended for two games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

December 30, 2019: Signed Contract Extension with Raiders

On December 30, 2019, Richie Incognito signed a two-year contract extension with the Raiders.

September 23, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On September 23, 2020, Richie Incognito was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury.

November 23, 2020: Underwent season-ending foot surgery

On November 23, 2020, Richie Incognito underwent season-ending foot surgery.

March 9, 2021: Released by Raiders

On March 9, 2021, Richie Incognito was released by the Raiders after the season.

March 24, 2021: Re-signed with Raiders

On March 24, 2021, Richie Incognito re-signed with the Raiders on a new contract.

September 25, 2021: Placed on Injured Reserve Again

On September 25, 2021, Richie Incognito was placed on injured reserve due to a calf strain.

July 15, 2022: Announced Retirement

On July 15, 2022, Richie Incognito announced his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons.

February 2025: Martin Publicly Admits He Never Felt Bullied

In February 2025, Jonathan Martin publicly admitted that he never felt bullied by Richie Incognito and others during the 2013 controversy. He blamed his mother for pushing a false narrative, and Incognito responded critically to the media's handling of the initial allegations.