Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin both support Michael Sam

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 10, 2014, 12:31 PM EST
AP

The two players at the center of the bullying story that engulfed the Miami Dolphins last season both say they support Michael Sam, who is set to become the first openly gay player in the NFL.

Dolphins offensive linemen Jonathan Martin, who left the team and said he was bullied in the locker room, and Richie Incognito, who was suspended for his actions toward Martin, both took to Twitter to support Sam. Shortly after Sam’s announcement was publicized, Martin tweeted that he has “respect” for the “guts” that Sam showed. Hours later, Incognito tweeted very similar sentiments.

[tweet https://twitter.com/J_Martin71/status/432702504212496385%5D

[tweet https://twitter.com/68INCOGNITO/status/432765429484777472%5D

Both Incognito and Martin are hoping to re-start their NFL careers in 2014, most likely somewhere other than Miami. That means both of them have an incentive to portray themselves as teammate who will be easy to get along with. Which means supporting Sam is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do.

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14 responses to “Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin both support Michael Sam”

  3. I’m still thinking that Michael would be relieved to find himself on a DIFFERENT team than the one RI populates next year. Best of luck for the future Michael. You have fortitude for certain.

  7. Sam’s announcement, as courageous as it is, also makes sense for him.

    While, yes, GMs are not going to be enthused about the amount of media attention (i.e. distraction) he brings to the team.

    Since he announced to his entire team last year that he’s gay, one has to assume that every GM knew before he made the announcement. Although the media attention will not be welcome, he may have insulated himself from dropping further in the draft with his announcement.

    In general though, despite being a great college player, he’s a “tweener” (no jokes please) in the NFL. That doesn’t mean he can’t contribute – it just means he’s only going to fit with certain defensive systems.

    Personally I think he’d be a great fit for the Patriots if he drops to the later rounds. Belichick is great at limiting media distractions, and he values hard working tweeners (i.e. Tedy Bruschi) who have good work ethics, who are smart, and demonstrate leadership ability – all things Michael Sam seems to have.

  9. You know what I think would be great? If both Incognito and Martin worked out their differences, found peace, and both played football next year, and were happy and productive people. If all the coaches and players (and, for that matter, team executives) who contributed to the situation learned lessons from it, and worked to not make the same mistakes again. And if locker-room culture improved by that small degree as a result.

    We always seem to want to take sides and have a winner and loser in these things, and to see punishment and failure, like we’re watching gladiator fighting. But aren’t we all better off wanting everyone involved to learn, grow, and be happy? What’s the use in wanting to see any other outcome than that?

    When you have a minute, Google “restorative justice”. That’s the future, whenever our backwards culture matures enough for it.

  10. Of course they do! It takes a lot of the heat off of them for their tryst. “I miss us”…tell me they weren’t playing around. What straight male, let alone a straight NFL player, is going to send a text to his buddy saying “I miss us”. Please….

  12. When this thing started, did anyone think that it would be Martin who would be virtually unhireable and Incognito the one who is looked at as not so bad?

  13. I just had to do an in-depth study about leadership that contributes toward my MBA of management and the ‘leader’ I was assigned was Richie Incognito.

    A disturbed individual to say the least; he’s definitely had his fair share of problems.

    But, Incognito and Martin are friends. I read every single text message that was released. Johnathan Martin texted back at a rate over 75% of the texts he recieved.

    And what Incognito was texting Martin was anything a usual friend would text.

    Incognito will be back on a team this year. Gaurantee it.

    Johnathan Martin on the other hand is the one with explaining to do.

    This is a prime example of how the media manipulates out minds. Just a month ago Incognito was at fault, but as soon as PROOF hits the internet, its actually Martin who shot himself in the foot on this one.

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