When Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito tweeted that the truth is going to “bury” teammate Jonathan Martin earlier this week, he must not have been referring to the Ted Wells report. The results of the independent investigation were released on Friday, with Wells and others concluding that Martin was indeed a victim of persistent workplace harassment.
If you have the time, the entire report is worth reading. Incognito is basically labeled the ring leader, though it was determined that offensive linemen Mike Pouncey and John Jerry also bullied Martin. Another Dolphins lineman, referred to as Player A, and a team assistant were also allegedly harassed on a regular basis.
The report includes a number of disturbing exchanges — both verbal and written — that Martin claims took place between him, Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey. The exchanges include but are not limited to the use of racial and homophobic slurs and incredibly disturbing remarks about Martin’s sister and mother.
As we have previously suspected, Wells concluded that some of the vulgar texts Martin sent to Incognito were an attempt to fit in. By going along with it, so to speak, Martin hoped the constant harassment might slow down. But as it was going on, he would send messages to his mother on occasion talking about how he is a “push over” who never sticks up for himself.
I figured out a major source of my anxiety. I’m a push over,a people pleaser. I avoid confrontation whenever I can, I always want everyone to like me. I let people talk about me, say anything to my face, and I just take it, laugh it off, even when I know they are intentionally trying to disrespect me. I mostly blame the soft schools I went to, which fostered within me a feeling that I’m a huge pussy, as I never got into fights. I used to get verbally bullied every day in middle school and high school, by kids that are half my size. I would never fight back, just get sad; feel like no one wanted to be my friend, when in fact I was just being socially awkward. Most people in that situation are witty; quick with sarcastic replies, I never have been. I’m awkward around people a lot of the time because I simply don’t know how to act around them …
Wells and company determined that “repeated acts of harassment” contributed to Martin’s departure from the Dolphins. The report also said that Incognito’s claims about Martin fabricating instances of harassment after the fact are not true. While it is not believed that Incognito, Jerry or Pouncey intended to inflict lasting emotional injury or force Martin to leave the team, their behavior is said to have been the main contributing factor.
We’ll have more on this as we comb through the lengthy report.
