Richie Cognito’s attorney releases text message exchange between him and Jonathan Martin
The attorney for Richie Incognito has released text messages exchanged between his client and Jonathan Martin that show the players talking as though they were friends.
The offensive lineman was suspended from the Miami Dolphins after Martin walked away from the squad due to allegations of bullying. CBS news was provided with 40 pages of texts between the two players, which date to Dec. 2012.
One of the graphic exchanges was dated Dec. 17, 2012. At one point during the conversation, Martin told Incognito, “Ima egg your house & light a bag of s— on fire then ring your doorbell.” The teammates continued their banter, with Incognito responding, “I’m going to shoot you and claim self defense. I’m white ur black I’ll walk.” Martin answered, saying, “I’m gonna give McDonald bath salts and lock him in your house with a tranquilizer gun & a box of sand paper condoms.” Incognito replied to Martin, “Hahaha.”
After Martin left the Dolphins in October, there were other exchanges including when Incognito repeatedly asked Martin to call him and asked him if he was OK. Martin responded Nov. 1, saying, “Wassup man? The world’s gone crazy lol I’m good tho congrats on the win.” Incognito replied, “Thanks dude. It’s unbelievable all the attention this is getting. All that’s important is that you feel better and know we miss u dude.”
Martin then said in a text on the same day, “Yeah I’m good man. It’s insane bro but just know I don’t blame you guys at all its just the culture around football and the locker room got to me a little … Btw … never check yourself into a mental hospital.”
The league is expected to release its report on the bullying case after the Super Bowl. The NFLPA, which is nearing the end of its own probe, said that Martin refused to speak with attorney Richard Smith who was retained by the union in November.
The report states that Incognito and Martin returned to texting the next day as if nothing happened. Other texts messages released by Schamel showed similar exchanges between the two players over the next several months.
The messages contained threats, talk about women and other things. On Oct. 23, Incognito texted “F— you!!!” to Martin, who responded with a photo that read, “I will murder your whole f—ing family.”
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