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SPORTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 Bullying has become Photo of the day latest issue for NFL NEW YORK: Even by NFL standards, the bash Aldon their cages. The rules of normal civilization should apply, Smith threw last year at his mountain home in California even in an abnormal world where young men who have was a wild one. been idolized all their lives for what they can do with a By the time the party ended, two people had been football think they don’t. The Dolphins took the field shot and the San Francisco 49ers linebacker had been Monday night with an offensive line depleted by the stabbed. Prosecutors would later bring assault weapons absence of Martin and Incognito, and the results were charges against Smith, who also faces DUI charges after predictable. Tampa Bay won its first game of the season, being arrested in September in a separate incident. and the Dolphins running game was nearly non-existent No one was shot in the locker room of the Miami with a franchise record-low 2 yards in 14 carries. Equally Dolphins, though there were threats of murder and may- predictable was their owner going on national television hem that weren’t actually carried out. The way Richie at halftime to declare how shocked he is about things Incognito talked was so frightening to teammate that went on under his watch. Jonathan Martin that he quit his job and left town on the “The world has changed,” Stephen Ross said. “One first plane he could find. thing that will not change: there will not be any racial That the NFL can be a violent place is no secret. The slurs or harassing or bullying in that locker room and out- league has prospered greatly by glorifying it between side the locker room.” the lines on Sunday, even as evidence mounts that play- That’s the kind of talk that should be coming from ers risk long-term damage to their health and their brains commissioner Roger Goodell, who has been strangely every time they take the field. silent on the scandal. Goodell did appoint a New York It’s a tough place to make a living because only the lawyer as a special investigator to probe locker room mis- tough survive to play. Martin was tough enough to be conduct, but so far seems content to let that play out trusted to open holes and block 300-pounders intent on before taking a stand. doing damage to his quarterback, but apparently not That might be because the league is so hugely popu- tough enough to handle the abuse that Incognito threw lar that a little locker room bullying won’t hurt it at all. his way. The same is true for the growing controversy over the Listen to Incognito defend himself and you have to Redskins nickname, any number of player arrests, and wonder what world he lives in. In a society where the reports about former players who can’t remember what types of things he says are not tolerated, how can there team they played for or what they had for dinner the be a place where they are encouraged? night before. “All this stuff coming out, it speaks to the culture of But for a commissioner who has talked about chang- our locker room, it speaks to culture of our closeness, it ing the culture of the league both with concussions and speaks to the culture of our brotherhood,” Incognito said Bountygate, this might be the best opportunity to in a weekend interview with Fox Sports. OK, we get it. change one more culture that has no place in any league. They live in a different world than the rest of us, where Stop the rookie hazings, and do away with the Dawid Godziek performs a 360 doublebarspin at his backyard in Suszec, Poland on October 23, 2013. the rules of normal society don’t always apply. They’re $15,000 dinner bills. Ban the N-word for good, no matter — www.redbull.com warriors on a mission for greatness, something that those the color of the skin of the player who might use it. who don’t play the game simply don’t understand. And while you’re at it, give Incognito a year off with- It’s utter nonsense, of course. The locker room mental- out pay. There’s not a lot that can be done in a brutally ity of having your teammate’s back is all well and good, violent sport to keep players from being hurt on the field. Stenson eyes No. 1 spot but just how that translates into racial slurs or texts about But they shouldn’t be afraid among their own team- killing family members is incomprehensible. Certainly, mates, and they should understand that workplace pro- athletes in other sports don’t take it to those levels. tection applies to the NFL just like it does any company DUBAI: Despite a persistent wrist the BMW Masters in Shanghai — but been getting better with every year. If that’s the culture - and in Miami it certainly seems to office. injury, Henrik Stenson is hoping his he is hoping the two days of com- McDowell, who finished tied 11th have been - then it’s time to change that culture. Bullying NFL players don’t need to prove they’re tough in the purple patch of form will last one plete rest and physio work after last year for his best result at the ven- and racism need to be tackled with the same -albeit locker room or at the dinner table with teammates. They more week as he aims to win the DP Turkish Open will help him squeeze ue, said: “I do feel like every year I’ve belated - enthusiasm the NFL is now showing for concus- do it week in and week out, sacrificing their bodies while World Tour Championship and the in another week before making a come back, I’ve kind of got the hang sion research. knowing it can all come to an end on any play or any honor of becoming Europe’s new decision about the rest of the year. of the Earth course. “It’s typically There’s a difference between a tight locker room and a Sunday. In a league grappling with a lot of issues, this No1 player. “Right now, I’m just focusing on come down to putting for me on this place where players act like animals just released from doesn’t have to be one of them. — AP The 37-year-old, who is aiming to getting through this week and then I golf course. become the first player to win the will have to take a further look on my I come here with an open mind FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour and the schedule. I’m scheduled to play a this week. I come here certainly as Race to Dubai on the European Tour couple of weeks in the next month, a player who I feel is getting better in the same year, is leading the and I will have to look and see if and learning, and I’m experienced standings going into the final week that’s going to be possible.” enough to not write myself off of the season. Meanwhile, McDowell reckoned around a golf course until I’ve had He is one of the three players in the fact that he did not have a very a few rounds under my belt.” The control of their own destiny, while good history at the Earth course will $8 million tournament starts the next eight players have a mathe- not hamper his chances, as he has today. — AFP matical chance of overtaking him. Stenson, a long-time resident of Dubai before shifting to Florida earli- er this year, enjoys a lead of 213,468 euros over second-placed Justin Rose, while No3 Graeme McDowell is behind by 321,800 euros. But with the top prize this week worth 985,476 euros, the Swede is well aware of the challenges he faces. Stenson, who finished tied seventh last week in Turkey in a tournament where his closest rivals Rose and No4 Ian Poulter were in contention, said: “I felt lucky last week. “I thought it could have been a whole lot worse for my positioning in Turkey, but things worked out pretty well there, so I am still leading. “(Being European No1) is always one of the things that I would have liked to achieve in golf. Growing up on the European Tour and playing here for many, many years, it would MACAU: This file photo taken on November 22, 2009 shows cars of the 56th Macau Grand Prix Formula Three race mean a lot to be the overall winner leaving the starting line. — AFP of Race to Dubai. “To have a chance to do it togeth- er with winning the FedEx Cup is Macau GP shows no probably something I’m not going to have a chance to do again, and it’s going to be hard for some of the oth- signs of slowing down er guys to have a chance to do it, as well. “It’s one of those things that I HONG KONG: It started as a motorised treasure hunt, ing gambling hub. really want it, but if you want some- but then grew to become one of the world’s most “The Macau Grand Prix, like the city, continues to thing too much, that’s going to make respected races, nurturing some of Formula One’s great- grow and develop,” Antunes told AFP, adding that it some trouble for you.

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