Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said he gets nostalgic when talking with 11-year veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams about how the NFL was when they started their careers.
Allen, in his 10th season in the league, said older players "hazing" rookies as a rite of passage has changed significantly since he broke in with Kansas City in 2004. While not condoning the extreme behavior that caused a splintering in the Miami Dolphins locker room last week, Allen said veterans establishing the atmosphere in the locker room has been lost to a degree.
"From a player's standpoint, I think some of the younger guys come in and there's a sense of entitlement, and you lose that work ethic, you lose that true veteran-led locker room sometimes," Allen said. "You got to know who you're dealing with. You can't treat everyone the same. You can't treat every rookie the same. Some guys are more sensitive than others, but it's a sign of respect."
Allen said he knows Dolphins guard Richie Incognito, who has been suspended by the team as the NFL reviews a harassment complaint from tackle Jonathan Martin, but he doesn't know the details of the situation in Miami.
Martin, a second-year player, left the Dolphins last week amid rumors of being bullied by Incognito, an eight-year veteran, for the past two seasons. Reports said Incognito received $15,000 from Martin to finance a summer trip to Las Vegas with a couple of teammates; Martin did not go on the trip, but paid out of fear of the repercussions. There also were racially charged and demeaning text messages and at least one voice mail sent to Martin from Incognito, who denied the allegations on his Twitter account Sunday.
"Richie has a good heart, he really does," Allen said. "I know he's catching some heat right now, but from what I know of Richie, we've always had a good relationship."
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has implemented an anti- hazing policy with his players since the start of his tenure. However, Allen and the defensive line taped defensive tackle Chase Baker to a goalpost and poured ice, a jug of water and Pepto-Bismol on him during training camp last year because the rookie refused to sing and dance.
"I got scolded for that; we're not allowed to do that anymore," Allen said.