Miami Dolphins' coaches allegedly encouraged Richie Incognito to call Jonathan Martin last spring to "get him into the fold," according to a report from Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel. The encouragement came prior to the threatening and offensive voice message Incognito left for Martin.
Miami coaches allegedly told Richie Incognito to toughen up Jonathan Martin, per report
The bullying incident that resulted in Richie Incognito being suspended came after Dolphins coaches allegedly told the offensive lineman to toughen up Jonathan Martin.
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
According to the report, Miami coaches talked to Incognito after Martin missed two days of voluntary offseason workouts. NFL coaches often encourage team leaders to make sure all players attend the voluntary workouts. Sources admitted to Kelly that Incognito crossed the line with the voicemail he left Martin but was doing what team leaders are expected to do.
Martin left the team last week after being the subject of a prank in the cafeteria. He later gave the NFL text and voice messages from Incognito, including the threatening voice message Incognito left in April. The Dolphins suspended Incognito indefinitely after the voice message was released.
The report did not include which coaches allegedly instructed Incognito to toughen up Martin, and it remains unclear whether the NFL will investigate the issue.
There were other reported incidents prior to the voice message, including Incognito allegedly pressuring Martin into paying $15,000 for a trip to Las Vegas that Martin didn’t attend. Martin filed a formal complaint against the Dolphins on Monday.
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