Report: Ireland Suggested Martin Punch Incognito
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The bizarre and seemingly never-ending story surrounding the Miami Dolphins, Jonathan Martin, and Richie Incognito continued to unfold overnight with general manager Jeff Ireland's name coming to the forefront.
According to profootballtalk.com, Ireland was contacted by Jonathan Martin's agent Rick Smith before the offensive tackle left the team on October 28. The PFT report said Smith complained about how Martin was being treated by Incognito.
According to PFT, Ireland told Smith that Martin "should physically confront Incognito. Ireland specifically mentioned that Martin should "punch" Incognito.
The alleged conversation could prove problematic for the Dolphins if the entire saga spills over into the court system. PFT, which is run by lawyer Mike Florio, said of Ireland's actions:
"Throughout the past few days, it's become clear that too many people in and around football believe that locker-room bullying should be met with violence. That fact that Ireland suggested that Martin should physically confront Incognito is, frankly, alarming."
