New Bills offensive lineman met the media in Buffalo for the first time on Thursday, and he shrugged off the widespread belief that he’s a dirty player.
Asked about a Sporting News poll of NFL players in which he came in first place in the “dirtiest player” category, Incognito said he didn’t give it much credence.
“I think they polled like 90 guys [actually 99] and nine guys [actually 12] answered that I’m the dirtiest player in the league, so now everybody runs with it, that I’m the dirtiest player in the league,” Incognito told the Buffalo News Thursday, following his first Bills practice. “So you can call me what you want. I’m a hard-nosed football player. I bring my “A’ game every Sunday.”
One of the players who thinks Incognito is dirty is his new teammate, Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who ripped the signing of Incognito. That may have caused some awkwardness Thursday, but Incognito avoided adding fuel to that fire.
“I have a reputation around the league for being a less than model citizen and some guys on teams really dislike playing against me,” Incognito said. “I can see where Kawika’s coming from. I’ve probably done some cheap stuff to him playing in the past.
“But now, the onus is on we’re a team now. We’re members of the same team and we’re working toward the same goal, and that’s getting this club as many wins as possible. So I think it will all transition. I knew something like that would pop up. It’s not a big deal.”
But Incognito’s inability to control his temper was enough of a big deal that it cost him his job in St. Louis. He says now that he’s in Buffalo, he’s ready to prove himself as a player worthy of a second chance.
