St. Louis Rams Richie Incognito apologizes — sort of — to fans
A day after chiding Rams fans — “they don’t know how to cheer, when to cheer” — Richie Incognito sought to clear the air Friday, two days before the Chicago Bears and their noisy supporters visit the Edward Jones Dome. Here’s what Incognito had to say after practice:
“Yesterday, I was not trying to take a shot at Rams fans. That’s the last thing I’m trying to do. I fully understand that this team has not given a single St. Louis Rams fan a single thing to cheer about this season. I understand where we’re at this season.
“All I was trying to say is, we’ve got Chicago fans coming down, there’s going to be a lot of them, they get excited for their football team, they get excited to come to the game. So, in turn, them coming to the game brings a football atmosphere that I’m used to, and that gets me excited . . . to go out there and get a win and keep them quiet.
“The fact of the matter is, it really doesn’t matter who’s in the stands, our fans, Chicago fans. We need all the support we can to get some wins around here. What I said yesterday was, the Chicago fans are coming down and they’re going to bring a buzz into the dome, they’re going to get it excited. Everything beyond that was . . . taken the wrong way.
“I’m excited to play in this game. I play my heart out. I leave everything I have on that field. And I want as many Rams fans there to enjoy it with us. We have not been good this year; I’ll be the first to say it. But you know what? I’m here thick and thin. I’m going to play my heart out no matter what our record is. And we are trying to get as many wins as we can, and we want as many people as possible to come out and support us.
“I just look forward to every Sunday waking up and doing the thing I love, going out and playing football. I just want people to enjoy the product we put on the field and get excited about what we’re doing. I want everybody involved in what we’re doing, because I’m excited about what we’re doing. So hopefully feed off me and get excited about Rams football.”
How about it, Rams fans? Is Richie forgiven?
Here’s what coach Jim Haslett had to say about Incognito’s initial rant:
“I think it’s bad (to criticize the fans) when you’re 8-2 (and not 2-8), to be honest with you. These fans are awesome. I love the city, I like the fans here. They’ll support this team. Obviously, I’d be disappointed, too, if we were 2-8. I’d probably have a hard time (as a fan) coming out and watching us also. That’s just the way it is.”
Haslett added: “I remember when I came here (as coach of the New Orleans Saints) how hard it was to play because of the fans. Obviously, we were coming in to play a good football team, and we’re struggling right now. But we need our fans. I know that there are loyal fans out there that come to games and support us. I know how hard it is to play here when (the Rams) are playing well and the place is rocking.”
All for now . . .
As much as I think Richie needs to just keep his mouth shut, I think he did bring up a valid point. The atmosphere at the dome stinks, and it has for quite some time. Hardly anybody gets into the game, and the games I have been to I could have fallen asleep at many different points in the game. When we played the Giants in the home opener, and when we were still in the game, I was scolded by fans behind me for standing up and cheering on THIRD down. I know there isn’t much to cheer about, but come on!! Just because it’s Sunday doesn’t mean we are at church!!