Reports That Coaches Asked Incognito to Toughen Up Martin
According to the Sun Sentinel, Miami Dolphins coaches asked Dolphins’ player Richie Incognito to “toughen up” teammate Jonathan Martin after he missed a voluntary workout last spring. Mike Garafolo similarly reported that Miami’s HC Joe Philbin had knowledge that Martin was targeted.
Forgot to tweet but said on @FFD yesterday a former Dolphins OL said coaches supported and encouraged hazing to toughen up Martin + others.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 6, 2013
Did coaches know Incognito was leaving threatening vmails + asking for $? Who knows? But they knew he was being tough on some guys.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 6, 2013
To clarify: Not saying coaches ordered code red, only that fmr Mia OL told me they knew about hazing, thought it would toughen up some guys.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 6, 2013
The Sentinel also notes that players “were annually directed by Philbin to ‘cut out’ the rookie hazing and that Philbin tried to rein it in with the Dolphins but that he and his coaching staff never policed it.”
On Monday transcripts of a phone call and text messages, reportedly left by Richie Incognito for Jonathan Martin, became public.
“Hey, wassup, you half n—– piece of s—. I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. [I want to] s— in your f—ing mouth. [I'm going to] slap your f—ing mouth. [I'm going to] slap your real mother across the face [laughter]. F— you, you’re still a rookie. I’ll kill you.”
Incognito was also caught on video using similar language earlier this year, and that video is currently on TMZ Sports.
Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the Dolphins for conduct detrimental to the team for his alleged actions involving Martin. Last week, Martin left team facility prior to practice after an incident occurred in the team lunch room. Martin later informed the team his departure was the result of what he believes is an unsafe workplace.
The NFL Players Association issued the following statement on Tuesday:
“We expect that the NFL and its clubs create a safe and professional workplace for all players and that owners, executives, coaches and players should set the best standards and examples. It is the duty of this union to hold the clubs and teams accountable for safety and professionalism in the workplace.
As the representative organization of all players, the NFLPA will insist on a fair investigation for all involved. We will continue to remain in contact with the impacted players, their representatives and player leadership.”
On Monday, Miami’s HC Joe Philbin, during the team’s press conference, shared an update and deferred answering certain questions until after the league completes its investigation.
Photos from Miami Dolphins
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