Henderson, Nevada. – Ritchie incognitowho said he found acceptance with the Las Vegas Raiders after a star-studded and controversy-filled career as one of the most physical offensive men of his era, announced his retirement on Friday.
Incognito, 39, signed with the Raiders in 2019 and only played 14 games for them due to injuries. He last appeared in the second week of the 2020 season.
In a message posted to the Raiders website, Incognito said: “I felt at home the moment I got here, and I’ve earned the reputation of this ‘bad boy,’ but she fits right in with the Raiders. They trusted my identity, and let me play. I played my ass only to fight back. They have this opportunity.
“I love the Raiders organization, Mr. [Mark] Davis means the world to me. That’s why, after four teams and 15 years, I’m retiring as a Ryder.”
Incognito was a third-round draft pick from Saint at the time. Lewis Rams in 2005 and also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. He earned his first four Pro Bowl picks with Dolphins in 2012, but his involvement in a bullying scandal with fellow forward Jonathan Martin resulted in Incognito being suspended for half of the 2013 season and he did not play in 2014.
He signed with the Bills in 2015 and went to three Pro Bowls in a row before retiring for the first time after the 2017 season, saying his liver and kidney “stopped working.”
In 2018, Incognito was placed in involuntary psychiatric custody after he allegedly threw a dumbbell at a person in a gym and was also arrested for threatening to shoot staff at a funeral home where his late father was held.
He also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors after an incident involving his 90-year-old grandmother.
The Raiders signed him in the spring of 2019 with then-general manager Mike Mayock saying at the time, “You can’t have all the Scouts.”
Incognito mode stayed out of trouble with raiders, even if he had a hard time staying in the field. He played 12 games that first year—he had to serve an NFL-imposed two-game suspension for the funeral home accident—and earned a two-year extension, $14 million.
But Incognito suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the second week of the 2020 season, and after sustaining a calf injury in joint training last August, he did not play again. However, it was seen as a positive influence in the Raiders offensive line room as many O-linmen attended the Incognito Retirement Media Conference.
Stealth mode has also become a strong mental health advocate.
“I’ve dealt with injuries in the last two years that I’ve never had before in my career,” Incognito said. “My body told me it was time, and I knew I was ready to hang them. And though some in my inner circle might not believe me – I’m ready. There’s no turning back.
“I’m back. I set my mission. I accomplished my goal.”
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