Richie Incognito: Jonathan Martin willingly gave money, took part in other pranks

Richie Incognito elaborated on his relationship with Jonathan Martin while also defending his actions in an interview with Jay Glazer of Fox Sports

by Mark Sandritter

Nov 12, 2013, 12:06 AM UTC

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

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In an extended look at his interview with Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Richie Incognito said he would have changed his actions toward Jonathan Martin if Martin, or a teammate had said it was too much.

During the interview, which aired during Fox Football Daily on Monday, Incognito said Martin never showed signs football or the locker room was getting to him. He said the two were friends and would go back and forth. He also said the prank that led to Martin walking away from the team, was nothing new. Incognito said the offensive linemen had pulled the prank many times before, including times where Martin was part of the group pulling the prank on another teammate.

Reports said Incognito forced Martin to pay $15,000 for a trip to Las Vegas that Martin did not attend. Incognito said those reports were not true and Martin gave the money willingly. Incognito said Martin missed the annual trip to Las Vegas during his rookie season and the other offensive linemen joked that Martin would be fined for missing the trip, even though they had no intention of actually making him pay the fine. Instead, Martin showed up with a check and willingly put in the money in the pot for a trip after the season.

Incognito said he would apologize to Martin today if he said Incognito took things too far. Incognito also said his teammates’ reaction was a sign Incognito was not bullying Martin and instead jokes may have been taken too far.

“I’m proud of my guys for having my back and telling the truth,” Incognito said.

Despite the situation, Incognito said he would be "more than willing" to accept Martin back into the Dolphins' locker room.

Incognito declined to say whether coaches had told him to toughen Martin up, instead saying the current NFL investigation would answer those questions.