Richie Incognito Voicemail Scandal: Jonathan Martin Meets With NFL Investigator After Bullying, Racist Taunts
It’s been two weeks since Jonathan Martin left the Miami Dolphins. Now, the offensive lineman is finally ready to tell his side of the story.
On Friday, Martin made the trip to meet with the lawyer that is investigating the Richie Incognito scandal on behalf of the NFL. The second-year player left the team after an incident in the Dolphin’s lunchroom, which allegedly was the culmination of several instances of bullying.
Incognito is in the midst of an indefinite suspension by the organization. He didn’t play in Miami’s last game, and could be gone for the remainder of the 2013 season. The scandal became a national news story when it was discovered that Incognito left Martin a threatening voicemail in which he used a racial slur. The veteran contends that he was not being serious and is not a racist.
On Thursday, he filed a grievance over the suspension against the Dolphins. The NFLPA released a statement in regards to grievance.
“Richie Incognito filed a non-injury grievance against his employer, the Miami Dolphins, pursuant to his rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The grievance challenges his suspension for conduct which was alleged to have occurred while he was with the club. In the grievance, Incognito requests that the hearing be held on an expedited basis so that he can immediately resume playing for the team. The NFL Players Association will continue to protect the rights of all players.”
Following Martin’s meeting with lawyer Ted Wells, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is supposed to meet with Martin. The team will be looking at the locker-room environment, which has come under much criticism amidst the allegations. Ross was supposed to speak with Martin on Wenesday, but delayed the meeting at the request of Wells.
“Ted Wells and the NFL have asked that we delay our meeting with Jonathan Martin, until they have the opportunity to meet with him first,” Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel told Pro Football Talk. “Out of deference to the process, we will cooperate with their request.
Even if Martin does return to the field again, he’s not expected to wear a Miami uniform again. ESPN reported on Monday that he won’t likely play until 2014 and that he doesn’t field he can continue his career with the Dolphins. The 24-year-old was taken in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft with high hopes, but it appears his time in Miami is done.
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