Sports
Related: About this forumWhat a load of crap
Incognito and Martin: An Insiders Story
Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Lydon Murtha pulls back the curtain on what he saw and what hes heard of the relationship between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, from the locker room dynamic to that now-famous O-line trip to Vegas
(Here's the big lie):
I dont have a dog in this fight.
<snip>
From the beginning, when he was drafted in April 2012, Martin did not seem to want to be one of the group. He came off as standoffish and shy to the rest of the offensive linemen. He couldnt look anyone in the eye, which was puzzling for a football player at this level on a team full of grown-ass men. We all asked the same question: Why wont he be open with us? Whats with the wall being put up? I never really figured it out. He did something Id never seen before by balking at the idea of paying for a rookie dinner, which is a meal for a position group paid for by rookies. (For example, I paid $9,600 for one my rookie year.) I dont know if Martin ever ended up paying for one, as I was cut before seeing the outcome.
Which brings me to my first point: I dont believe Richie Incognito bullied Jonathan Martin. I never saw Martin singled out, excluded from anything, or treated any differently than the rest of us. Wed have dinners and the occasional night out, and everyone was invited. He was never told he cant be a part of this. It was the exact opposite. But when he came out, he was very standoffish. Thats why the coaches told the leaders, bring him out of his shell. Figure him out a little bit.
Thats where Incognito ran into a problem. Personally, I know when a guy cant handle razzing. You can tell that some guys just arent built for it. Incognito doesnt have that filter. He was the jokester on the team, and he joked with everybody from players to coaches. That voicemail he sent came from a place of humor, but where he really screwed up was using the N-word. That, I cannot condone, and its probably the biggest reason hes not with the team right now. Odd thing is, Ive heard Incognito call Martin the same thing to his face in meetings and all Martin did was laugh. Many more worse things were said about others in the room from all different parties. Its an Animal House. Now Incognitos being slandered as a racist and a bigot, and unfortunately thats never going to be wiped clean because of all the wrong hes done people in his past. But if you really know who Richie is, hes a really good, kind man and far from a racist.
In my experience, hes not the kind of person who would extort someone for $15,000. The notion that Martin was forced to pay for a trip he didnt attend has been misrepresented.
<snip>
The most unfortunate thing about this situation is the consequence it will have on the careers of both men. Richies marked himself now as a racist and a bigot, and unfortunately that could be the end of it. Martin is on the opposite end of the spectrum, but no more likely than Incognito to return to the NFL if he wants. In going to the media with his problem, Martin broke the code, and it shows that hes not there for his teammates and hes not standing up for himself. There might be a team that gives him a chance because hes a good person, but the players will reject him. Theyll think, If I say one thing hes going to the press. Hell never earn the respect of teammates and personnel in the NFL because he didnt take care of business the right way.
<snip>
http://mmqb.si.com/2013/11/07/richie-incognito-jonathan-martin-dolphins-lydon-murtha/
No dog in the fight, my ass. All he does is slime Martin and make Incognito out to be this warm, fuzzy teddy bear. He complete ignores Richie's ugly history. Despite that, what he said damns Incognito
kydo
(2,679 posts)it's going to lash out hard at everything to get away. These guys are going to blame others for a while. Its all disgusting and none of it belongs in sports.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)The most unfortunate thing about this situation is the consequence it will have on the careers of both men. Richies marked himself now as a racist and a bigot, and unfortunately that could be the end of it. Martin is on the opposite end of the spectrum, but no more likely than Incognito to return to the NFL if he wants. In going to the media with his problem, Martin broke the code, and it shows that hes not there for his teammates and hes not standing up for himself. There might be a team that gives him a chance because hes a good person, but the players will reject him. Theyll think, If I say one thing hes going to the press. Hell never earn the respect of teammates and personnel in the NFL because he didnt take care of business the right way.
both Martin and Incognito will have problems with teammates in the future as a result of this.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Since it's not just a single racist asshat but a despicable culture at Miami.