Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says racism was the root cause of the team’s infamous bullying case.
Ross said in a speech to the Palm Beach Civic Association that he views racism as the underlying issue that caused the bullying of Jonathan Martin, who left the team because of the way he was treated.
“This bullying incident was really a product of racism,” Ross said, via the Palm Beach Post.
The Post article refers to the matter as the “Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin” saga, although it doesn’t specifically say that Ross called Incognito racist. Incognito is white and Martin is black.
Incognito was not the only player accused of bullying Martin. Offensive linemen John Jerry and Mike Pouncey were also named in the Ted Wells report of the bullying case. Both Jerry and Pouncey are black.
After the bullying scandal, Ross launched The Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, an organization that seeks to improve race relations.