All Huskers

Richie Incognito Retires From the NFL

Former Husker calls an end to 15-year NFL career

David Max

Nebraska Athletics photo

Richie Incognito announced his retirement from the NFL today.

Incognito, from Glendale, AZ, was a 2001 redshirt at Nebraska and became the first starting freshman offensive lineman in 2002. He was named a first-team freshman All-American by FWAA, Sporting News and Rivals.com as well as first-team freshman All-Big 12 by the Sporting News. In 2003 he was an SI.com honorable mention All-American.

His Husker career had several episodes of fights and suspensions. He was suspended in 2003 by head coach Frank Solich and sent to a clinic for anger management treatment. He was reinstated and started 13 games and was first team All-Big 12. Things did not improve in 2004 when he was found guilty of a misdemeanor assault charge and paid a $500 fine. He entered 2004 as a Rimington Trophy candidate and left the Husker program after being suspended by coach Bill Callahan for a locker room fight. He withdrew from classes and transferred to Oregon where he lasted a week before being dismissed by head coach Mike Bellotti.

Incognito was drafted in the third round by the LA Rams and played for them from 2005 to 2009 and was put on waivers. He was claimed by the Buffalo Bills and started the final three games. The Bills didn't re-sign him and he was picked up by the Miami Dolphins. He was again suspended for his treatment of teammate Jonathan Martin.

He sat out the 2014 season and signed back with the Bills as a free agent in 2015. In 2016 he signed a three-year deal worth $15,750,000. 2017 was another rocky year and he was accused of using racial slurs in an AFC Wild Card playoff game. He announced his intent to retire the following April and then petitioned the Bills to release him from the retired list which they did in May.

Incognito signed with the Raiders the same month and in 2019 signed a two year, $14 million contract extension. He only played in two games in 2020 and was put on injured reserve again on September 25, 2021. 

Published
David Max
DAVID MAX

David Max has been a Husker fan since Bob Devaney's first year in 1962. Season tickets have been in the family since the south end zone was built in 1964. He started HuskerMax with Joe Hudson in September of 1999. David published a book titled 50 Years of Husker Memories in 2012. Most of his articles will be from a historical perspective. You can reach David at bigredmax@yahoo.com.

Home/Football