Miami Herald -Jonathan Martin lied because it was easier than telling the truth.
Usually, thats why most humans lie.
Were selfish creatures, and its human nature.
So much so that toddlers tell fibs naturally.
Its innate in us, not even learned behavior.
And so is everybody who was quick to rush to cancel Incognito.
This single accusation led to a 144-page independent investigation by attorney Ted Wells- (remember this piece of shit?
The years following, an ongoing media frenzy remained painting Incognito as a monstrous, irredeemable bully.
Wheres the sense of remorse?
Its never too late to tell the truth.
Oftentimes people are incarcerated, or fired because of lies.
But the damage is done.
It took him 10 years to tell the truth!
Richie Incognito wrote to me in a private exchange.
He will never do an interview about Bullygate.
(The Pounceys are villains for other reasons, but still.)
Turner was FIRED after that Ted Wells report.
Incognito became a public pariah- a living embodiment of the NFLs toxic locker-room culture.
Entire seasons were spoiled.
Families were dragged into the spotlight.
Im the last person to dismiss issues like depression or mental health.
Martin has been open about his battles, and its commendable that hes sought help.
Dont get me wrong.
Im not asking you to feel sorry for Incognito.
Hes not a victim.
Hes no choir boy, Hes no saint.
His behavior during his time in Miami, on-and-off the field, was embarrassing at times.
But Incognito was a tortured individual doing what meathead football players do.
And in doing so, he trampled all over Incognitos reputation.
The guy who was his so-called best friend on the team.
They were his teammates and mentors.
They were his friends, and at times his confidants.
In fact, Incognito was Martins best friend on the team, a mentor, his protector.
I witnessed that with my own eyes.
Their teammates testify to that for Wells report.
Incognito once asked me to go easy on Martin with my criticism of his performance, and I did.
Richie Incognito is no saint.
Im not asking anyone to hold a candlelight vigil for the guy.
He also slung the word puss even more than your biggest trashball friend
But guess what?
Especially in the NFL trenches, where you need a little bit of a wild streak to survive.
At least he wasn’t knocking women out cold in hotel elevators.
The full ESPN article is hereif you want to read it.
It turns out that Martin has rehabilitated his life.
Supposedly, hes some kind of “Bitcoin expert” now.
But lets not pretend this is some redemption story.
More than ten years later, he casually admits that he lied about the entire premise of Bullygate.
No regret or remorse about the collateral damage.
Meanwhile, Incognito prefers to stay silent.
Hes turned down interviews and documentary offers because rehashing the most traumatic part of his life isnt exactly appealing.
Who can blame him?
He did spend yesterday standing up for himself.
People do it all the time- self-preservation is a powerful instinct.
Thats the bare minimum, no?
But Martin hasnt done that.
And that makes him one of the biggest assholes to ever step onto an NFL field.
No matter how short his career or how deep his demons.
Surely he and the league have to be liable no?
