With suspension behind him, Raiders guard Ritchie Incognito ready to ‘charge forward, make it right’

It’s been a long road back to the NFL for Ritchie Incognito. Having played his last game on December 3, 2017 as a member of the Buffalo Bills, Incognito has a new outlook on life is talking like he is ready to embrace his new opportunity.

In his year away from the game he had several bizarre run-ins with the law that resulted in a guilty plea to disorderly conduct stemming from an incident at a funeral home following the death of his father, Incognito will take the field Sunday for the first time as a member of the Raiders.

Upon signing with the Raiders in May, the league slapped the four-time pro bowl guard with a two game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Since returning to the game, Incognito has spoken openly about his mental health struggles, adding that the lack of structure and routine that a pro athlete is familiar with contributed to his problems as well.

With the suspension and all the negativity that has followed his troubled career behind him, Incognito is looking forward to having a clean slate with the Raiders and just focusing on football.

“Yea it’s a big relief,” Incognito said of the suspension being over. “I just attack, attack going forward. The suspension is behind me, everything, all the negative stuff is behind me, you know just eyes forward. Just staying positive, relish the opportunity, I think is big, really enjoying everyday in here because you don’t know how many more I’m gonna have. And wanting to play well, wanting to play well for coach Gruden, for Mike Mayock, for coach Cable, for the rest offensive linemen for all the hard work we’ve put in. So I really just want to charge forward and make it right.”

For an offensive line that has played well in the absence of both of it’s starting guards, the addition of Incognito will strengthen an already strong unit.