Ex-Dolphins lineman Jonathan Martin walks back bullying allegations against teammate that caused NFL scandal

Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin is making headlines once again as he walks back his bullying accusations against his former teammate, Richie Incognito. The scandal, which rocked the NFL in 2013, saw Martin accusing Incognito of bullying him to the point where he felt compelled to leave the team.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Martin revealed, \”I never believed for a second I was being bullied. It’s a story that I’ve been trying to fix for 10 years.\” This confession comes as a surprise to many, as the incident had led to Incognito being suspended by the Dolphins for conduct detrimental to the team.

The league had even launched an investigation, led by lawyer Ted Wells, which found that Incognito, along with teammates Mike Pouncey and John Jerry, had engaged in bullying behavior towards Martin. The report detailed how Martin had checked himself into a hospital and his mother had to fly across the country to be with him during that tumultuous time.

However, Martin now claims that his parents played a role in escalating the situation by bringing the bullying allegations to light. He admitted, \”I hadn’t even told my coaches, hadn’t told anyone. And suddenly it’s on ESPN, right? I didn’t believe any of the stances I was taking, right, where I’m this victim.\”

Incognito, who missed significant playing time as a result of the scandal, has since responded to Martin’s new stance. He bluntly stated, \”He couldn’t cut it in the NFL so he quit and his mom blamed me. Legacy media pushed this narrative long and far. Too bad it was all a lie!\”

Martin’s father, Gus, also weighed in on the matter, revealing that he and his wife intervened to protect their son during that difficult time. He even played a voicemail allegedly left by Incognito for Jonathan, which contained graphic threats and racial slurs.

Despite the controversy, Martin was eventually traded to the San Francisco 49ers and later retired after a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers. Incognito, on the other hand, signed with the Buffalo Bills after his suspension was lifted and went on to play for the Oakland Raiders.

In a 2019 interview on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Incognito denied ever bullying Martin, attributing his teammate’s struggles to mental health issues. He emphasized that their relationship was built on camaraderie and banter, rather than malicious intent.

The revelation of Martin’s changed perspective on the bullying allegations has reignited interest in the scandal that once dominated NFL headlines. As both players reflect on the events of the past, it serves as a reminder of the complexities of relationships within a competitive sports environment.