All Dolphins

Incognito Snaps Back After Martin's "Not Bullied" Comments

The former Miami Dolphins offensive linemen were involved in a major NFL scandal more than a decade ago

Alain Poupart

Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito (68) takes a drink during their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2013.
Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito (68) takes a drink during their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2013. / Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Miami Dolphins' infamous "Bullygate" scandal resurfaced this week with an ESPN story on Jonathan Martin during which he said "never believed for a second" he was bullied.

That prompted a strong response from fellow former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito, the other man at the center of the controversy, after he refused to comment for the ESPN story.

"He couldn't cut it in the NFL so he quit and his mom blamed me," Incognito wrote on X on Sunday. "Legacy media pushed this narrative long and far. Too bad it was all a lie! They lied to protect his money. He quit ... the team had every right to claw back that money. His mom started the bullying narrative with @espn @AdamSchefter so that @MiamiDolphins wouldn't go after his signing bonus!"

For those not familiar with the story, Martin abruptly left the Dolphins on a Monday in 2013 three days before a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Halloween (the "Wake-Off" game).

After accusations of bullying were made, the NFL hired Ted Wells to investigate the matter and the result was a 144-page report with the biggest takeaway being a consistent pattern of harassment byoffensive linemen Incognito, John Jerry and Mike Pouncey.

The Dolphins subsequently suspended Incognito indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team and he never played another game for Miami. Incognito had made the Pro Bowl for the Dolphins in 2012 and shared the Good Guy media award with running back Reggie Bush.

Incognito later played three seasons with the Buffalo Bills and two more with the Raiders before his career ended after the 2020 season.

Along with his strong comments, Incognito also posted some pictures of himself with Martin and Pouncey with smiles all around.

MARTIN MAKES SOME COMMENTS

The long Martin profile on ESPN was published earlier this week and described his journey over the past 10 years, including his battles with depression.

Martin was described as being reluctant to address the "Bullygate" episode. with the story written after a series of interviews that started in December 2023.

Martin indicated the idea he was being bullied came from his mother, who like Incognito declined to be interviewed for the ESPN story.

For his part, Martin said he wanted to set the record straight.

"It's a story," he said, "that I've been trying to fix for 10 years."

FORMER TEAMMATE CHIMES IN

The Dolphins won their game the week Martin left the team thanks to Cameron Wake's overtime sack for a safety — hence the "Wake-Off Game" nickname — to even their record to 4-4 on the season.

They finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs, but that was after they had a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a victory in either of their final two games before losing 19-0 at Buffalo and 20-7 at home against the New York Jets.

So the Dolphins were able to overcome the "Bullygate" to a certain degree, but former Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll indicated on X on Sunday he still was bothered by the incident.

"Not gonna say one guy messed up a season because we were up and down that year," Carroll wrote. "But the negative attention and careers he messed up, (trainer) Kevin O'Neill, John Jerry, Richie, Mike P., Coach (Joe) Philbin, y'all don't understand every day it was never about opponents but how bad of a locker we had (which we didn't). I remember when he was crying leaving the locker room because he couldn't handle that he just wasn't playing good and didn't bother to work himself out of a hole.

"He just ran like a coward!

"Admitting this now does nothing. I don't respect him, never will."

More Miami Dolphins News:

feed

Published
Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

Home/News