Desmond Howard: ‘What level of coonery is going on inside Miami Dolphins locker room?’
ESPN analyst Desmond Howard made a regrettable remark on Friday during an appearance on SportsCenter while trying to wrap his brain around what has been going on inside the Miami Dolphins locker room.
One of the more bizarre reports we have heard about the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin situation indicated that Incognito’s Dolphins teammates consider him an “honorary” black guy and some even view him as “more black” than Martin. Howard addressed that report on Friday, but the former NFL return specialist could have expressed himself more eloquently.
“What level of coonery is going on inside the Miami Dolphins’ locker room?” he asked.
Video of the comment can be seen below, courtesy of USA Today. It’s difficult to hear, so you may need to turn up your volume:
There are obviously a lot of racial aspects to this story, as evidenced by the voicemail Incognito allegedly left on Martin’s phone. Whatever is or isn’t going on inside Miami’s locker room, it was unwise of Howard to describe it using a racist term of his own. That does nothing to help the situation.
Full Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin history:
Jonathan Martin reportedly went AWOL after cafeteria prank
Jonathan Martin reportedly called ‘Big Weirdo,’ bullied by teammates
Richie Incognito said to be one of Jonathan Martin’s main tormenters
Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito text message conversation
Jonathan Martin reportedly left Dolphins because of emotional issues, not bullying
Jonathan Martin ‘genuinely scared’ of what Richie Incognito might do to him
Richie Incognito suspended indefinitely by Dolphins
Richie Incognito reportedly told Jonathan Martin ‘I’ll kill you’ in racially charged voicemail
Report: Richie Incognito will never play for Dolphins again
Video: Richie Incognito dropped N-bomb during fit of rage at a bar
Antrel Rolle: Jonathan Martin is a ‘grown-ass man,’ just as much to blame as Incognito
Dolphins coaches reportedly asked Richie Incognito to toughen up Jonathan Martin
Richie Incognito makes first comments, says ‘this will pass’
Dolphins players reportedly felt Richie Incognito was ‘honorary’ black man
Brian Hartline: Jonathan Martin laughed at voicemail
Tyson Clabo: Jonathan Martin should stand up and be a man
Jeff Ireland reportedly advised Jonathan Martin to punch Richie Incognito
Richie Incognito accused of sexual harassment at 2012 golf event
Dolphins player told Jonathan Martin he was going to f— his sister