• NFL

Incognito receiving psychiatric treatment

Embattled lineman Richie Incognito is undergoing treatment at a psychiatric care unit in Arizona after checking into the facility late on Thursday, according to reports.

Incognito, the player at the centre of the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal which came to a head in November, is seeking help because of stress.

In a 2013 interview with NFL.com, Incognito discussed his struggles with anger management and depression.

In an earlier report, TMZ said Incognito checked himself into the facility, then later reported that his admittance was not voluntary.

On Thursday, Scottsdale police checking on reported damage to a car belonging to Incognito said the player told an officer he did the damage himself. Scottsdale police have closed the matter because no crime was committed.

Incognito told Fox 10 in Arizona later in the day that he was just "venting" when he smashed his Ferrari with a baseball bat. A photo showed Incognito's car with several dents in its hood and a bat in front of the vehicle. A part of the bat was lodged in the car's grille.

"Oh, that was just me venting, that was my self expression, that's a piece of art," he said. "The happiest day of my life was when I got that car, and now the second-happiest day is going to be when I donate it to charity."

"The Ferrari is a story unto itself," Incognito said later in the interview. "The Ferrari is one entity, but I will tell you this: The Ferrari is going to be for sale through my mission, which is helping the brotherhood, whatever brotherhood it is."

An investigation conducted by Ted Wells for the NFL determined that Incognito and two team-mates engaged in persistent harassment of offensive tackle Jonathan Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant team trainer. Wells' findings were released on February 14.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd