Since news of bullying in the Dolphins’ locker room broke last week, Richie Incognito has been painted as the villain and Jonathan Martin as the victim. That might not be the entire story, however.
Incognito, who allegedly sent threatening and racially charged messages to Martin, was indefinitely suspended by the Dolphins for the apparent abuse. The Pro Bowl guard said during an interview with FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer on Sunday that he and Martin had a joking relationship, and Martin sent similarly threatening texts to Incognito. However, Incognito says he knew they were meant to be jokes.
“A week before this went down, Jonathan Martin texted me, ‘I will murder your whole [Expletive] family,'” Incognito said. “Now, did I think Jonathan Martin was going to murder my family? Not one bit.”
Incognito, who says that he considered Martin a friend, did admit that he may have taken things with Martin a bit too far, which included him using a racial slur in a text to his fellow offensive lineman. Teammates have said that Martin joked about Incognito’s texts and was even laughing about them with guys in the locker room.
Since abruptly leaving the team two weeks ago, Martin has checked himself into a South Florida hospital to get treatment for his emotional distress.
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