Jonathan Martin: Incognito's bullying a product of locker-room atmosphere
The Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito bullying scandal is arguably one of the most infamous incidents the NFL has faced in recent memory.
In 2013, an unflattering spotlight shone on the Miami Dolphins' locker room - and by extension, the NFL's culture as a whole - after stories of how Martin was treated by his teammates, most notably Incognito, were revealed.
Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the team for his actions, which included sending Martin threatening and racially charged voicemails and texts. He missed the majority of the 2013 season under the suspension before it was lifted in February 2014. The 32-year-old sat out the entire 2014 season before ending up with the Buffalo Bills last campaign.
Martin retired in July 2015, citing a back injury, and although he hasn't ruled out a return to the NFL, he believes the atmosphere within teams and the league enables personalities like Incognito.
"He's got his own issues like I had issues with depression related to dealing with all their BS, but I don't even know if Richie wants to be a bad person," Martin told Alysha Tsuji of USA Today. "Part of me thinks he just is because he's allowed to be in the realm he occupies. It's weird because we still have mutual friends. I have no desire to ever see or talk to him. I'll get nothing from it. That's in the past. I don't know what his thoughts are and I don't really care, honestly."
Martin's time with the Dolphins didn't last long after the scandal, with the 26-year-old being traded to the San Francisco 49ers the following offseason. It appears that part of the reason for his departure was because some in the organization sided with Incognito, permanently severing Martin's trust in the franchise.
"From their (the Dolphins players) perspective, they probably thought I was making everything up, which was fine, but not even giving me the benefit of the doubt made me lose respect for everyone in that building - everyone - so I mean, I've moved on," Martin said. "I hope they've moved on."
Martin, who has admitted that he suffers from a major depressive order and that he attempted to suicide multiple times during his NFL career, spoke with students Wednesday at a school just outside Oakland, Calif., giving talks about his experiences with bullying and his own struggles with mental health.
"Even if it's just one kid in here that has some of the same feelings I had at 14, 13, and they're like, 'Oh wait, this guy had these feelings but then was still able to go to Stanford, still able to be an All-American, still able to graduate, still able to play in the NFL, maybe it's OK to feel the way I feel.' That's cool that I'm potentially getting through to someone," Martin said.