Former Dolphins OL Jonathan Martin Finally Admits He 'Never' Felt 'Bullied'

Remember that whole "bullying scandal" that rocked the NFL back in 2013? Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin accused his teammates, particularly fellow lineman Richie Incognito, of "bullying" Martin. 

The situation was dubbed "Bullygate" and led to attorney Ted Wells, who was hired by the NFL, investigating Martin's claims. Wells concluded that Dolphins players and coaches did bully Martin. 

Well, after over a decade, Martin now admits that he "never" felt "bullied." 

"I never believed for a second I was being bullied," Martin told ESPN. "It's a story that I've been trying to fix for 10 years."

Former Miami Dolphins OL Jonathan Martin, who accused teammates of bullying him, particularly fellow lineman Richie Incognito, now says he "never" felt "bullied."

(Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

That's an interesting way to describe it. Martin now says that he's been "trying to fix" the story for 10 years. Yet, 11.5 years later, he finally says it didn't happen the way he said it happened. If that's the case, and he's really been trying to "fix" it for 10 years, why is he speaking now? 

Of course, Richie Ingocnito – the main villain in Martin's 2013 tale – has some questions that need to be answered. 

"Well, well, well…" Incognito posted on X following Martin's confession. 

Incognito followed that post with another. 

"He couldn’t cut it in the NFL so he quit and his mom blamed me. Legacy media pushed this narrative long and far. Too bad it was all a lie!" Incognito wrote. 

The Dolphins ultimately suspended Incognito in early November and did not play another snap for the team. He sat out the entire 2014 season before signing with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. 

Martin left the team due to the alleged bullying and sat out the rest of the 2013 season. He played for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 season and spent 2015 on the Carolina Panthers practice squad before retiring from the NFL. 

Now, while Martin admits that he didn't feel bullied, there are voicemails and texts from Incognito to Martin that include racial and gay slurs. 

That being said, Incognito said at the time that his messages to Martin were simply part of the NFL teammate culture, and he was trying to "toughen up" Martin, who was deemed too soft to be an NFL player. 

Former Miami Dolphins OL Jonathan Martin, who accused teammates of bullying him, particularly fellow lineman Richie Incognito (pictured), now says he "never" felt "bullied."

(Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)

"For the most part, Incognito does not dispute saying or writing any of the statements that Martin claimed offended him," read an excerpt from Wells' 2014 report. 

"Further, Incognito admitted that at times the very purpose of the verbal taunts was to 'get under the skin' of another person. From Incognito's perspective, however, the statements in question were an accepted part of the everyday camaraderie of the Dolphins tight-knit offensive line." 

Based on Martin's new admission, it appears that Incognito's version of events makes the most sense. The NFL requires toughness, something Martin lacked. That doesn't apply simply on the field, but off the field and in the locker room, as well.

Martin clearly didn't have what it took to be an NFL player, particularly from a mental standpoint, hence why he only lasted three seasons in the league.