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 . . .
There are six of us here in Commack , N.Y. ( Long Island ). We haven’t missed a RAMS’ game since the advent of Direct-v, first in local taverns , more recently at my home. Our general consensus over the last many years ? RAMS’ fans are incredibly whiny and fickle ,spoiled rotten. Sit in perfect comfort in a temperature-controlled Dome ,and are incredibly passive.I know Cardinals’ fans are among the best , just don’t understand why RAMS’ fans are so second-rate by comparison.
Hey Richie, I know how you can make up for your comments about the Rams fans. Try blocking somebody, for a change. You know, kinda get in the way of the defensive lineman, so he doesn’t beat Bulger to the pocket. And then, if you can actually figure that out, then pass that information along to Mr. Barron, beside you.
The dude is right!
Cardinal fans…boring
Rams fans….boring
Always waiting for something to happen before they make a peep. Rather than trying to motivate with raucous cheering when it is needed. That’s what support is.
The Blues Arena fans were the best at cheering and getting the team to respond to the noise.
Wake up St Louis. You have short memories and if the Rams go you never have a team to squawk about again!!
Spoiled babies.
Not for nothing don’t give us apologies…give us some damn points. Give us something to cheer about instead of yelling about.
I am a RAMS fan from NY and believe me its not easy now with a Super Bowl (giants)and now Farve (jets) on the scene to be a fan for another state’s team. SO NO MORE EXCUSES and no more mouthing off to the fans.
JUST PLAY THE GAME AND WIN WIN WIN once in a while.
Richie Incognito should apologize to the fans by giving back his salary. It is obvious that he has not concept as to what a “professional” NFL player is supposed to do or how to act. The man is an embarrassment to the city of St. Louis and the NFL. He is luck to have a job where he gets paid what he does to “play a game”.
i would have thrown my beer on him but, i didnt want to waste it.
NFL players make mega bucks and are expected to perform. The fans fork out mega bucks, in comparison, to watch these guys. When the players don’t perform–as the Rams record attests–the players should not rip the fans. St. Louis has proven it will be there for this team but the past couple of years have been disastrous. Until management steps up and takes corrective actions, they have to expect the fans to be bitter. As for Incognito, he should already have been shown the road out of St. Louis–there is no room for such behavior in this town. If you recall, in one of the games we won this year, he nearly blew it with a STUPID penalty thus making a pitch shot field goal an over 50 yard field goal. He should have been gone after that game. Why do we stick with arrogant bums like him???
Incognito, you want Rams fans to cheer? Then WIN games! Then you will not have anything to worry about.