More than a decade after the Miami Dolphins’ bullying scandal shook the NFL, former offensive lineman Richie Incognito is reigniting controversy, taking to social media to blast reporters and refute claims about his alleged role. The situation resurfaced after Jonathan Martin, the former teammate at the center of the scandal, stated in an ESPN interview that he never felt bullied—despite past reports of harassment.
The 2013 Dolphins Controversy Revisited
During the 2013 season, Martin abruptly left the Dolphins, citing emotional distress caused by teammates’ treatment of him. Reports at the time detailed an alleged pattern of excessive hazing, including racial slurs and threats. Incognito was named as the primary instigator, leading to his indefinite suspension and a year-long absence from the league. A subsequent NFL investigation confirmed that Martin had been subjected to ongoing mistreatment by Incognito and two other teammates.
Incognito Fires Back
In the recent ESPN interview, Martin, now 35 and pursuing an MBA at Wharton, attempted to set the record straight, stating, "I never believed for a second I was being bullied." He also claimed to have been trying to “fix” the narrative for the past decade. This revelation ignited a furious response from Incognito, who accused media figures such as ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio of ruining his career with what he called a false narrative.
"You tried to ruin my career over a lie!" Incognito posted on X (formerly Twitter), directing his anger at journalists who covered the scandal in 2013. He also posted old photos of himself with Martin, suggesting they had a friendly relationship.
A Tarnished Legacy
While Incognito is adamant that he was unfairly vilified, his history of behavioral issues in the NFL complicates his defense. In addition to the Dolphins controversy, he faced allegations of using racial slurs while playing for the Buffalo Bills and was suspended in 2019 while with the Las Vegas Raiders for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Despite Martin’s recent comments, the full truth about the 2013 scandal remains murky. However, one thing is clear—Incognito still carries deep resentment over how his career was affected, and he’s not willing to let the past stay buried.
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Source: Yahoo Sports
Photo Credit: NFL
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