Richie Incognito, Jonathon Martin, ESPN and the anti bullying agenda

The true story of Richie Icognito and Johnathon Martin is more complicated then ESPN has let it be known.  Yet the FACTS are readily available.  Somehow one voicemail released by Martin's agent has decided the whole case, when preponderance of the evidence is that Jonathon Martin has a mental illness, not that we was bullied by Incognito.  Let us look at the facts and strictly facts not feelings:

Jonathon Martin makes about 2.5 million and is in his second year with the Miami Dolphins.  Six Months prior Richie Icongito left a voice mail on Jonathon Martin's phone, of which we have no context too.  But, Martin did post on twitter about his work out regime.  Incognito then called Martin, most likely to give a sarcastic message.  Does anyone think that voicemail was serious?  Was it stupid to send? Yes Was it malicious probably not.  And if it was sooooo bad why does Martin not share it with anybody but keep it to himself.  He could have gone to anyone a coach, a fellow player anyone.  But he keeps it to himself.  Why? Please do not say bullying.  The man was a twenty four year old who graduated from Stanford with two parents who are lawyers, he knew his options.

Then over the next 6 months nothing is said or done.  Jonathon Martin participates in the same prank that causes him to leave the team on Nate Garner.  Martin goes out to dinner with Incognito and his girlfriend before the Saints game.  Now according to ESPN and specifically Chris Carter every coach and player should have definitely known about the "bullying".  Did Carter go on and provide evidence following his rant, no.  Because, too may at ESPN are using the pulpit to grandstand while the truth is being sought.

Fact: Jonathon Martin left the Miami Dolphins because of a prank, not a mean prank, just a prank.  Is that something a bullying victim does? But, where does Martin go when he leaves the Dolphins, he goes to the hospital to get mental help.  He did not go anywhere else but the hospital.  This clearly establishes that Jonathon Martin suffers from a Mental illness.  On Thursday of that day, Jonathon Martin sends a text to Incognito reported by Jeff Darlington stating that it had nothing to do with Incognito and that Martin was fine.  It is journalistic malpractice that this text is never mentioned on ESPN.  Again this is not the act of a bullying victim but more a person with a mental illness.

Fact Sometime on Thursday or Friday Jonathon Martin flies to California to see his parents.  Now is where it gets complicated, the Dolphins then place Martin on the Non Football injury list, the same day.  This is important because it means that Martin cannot get paid.  However, if it is bullying Jonathon Martin would get paid.  Why is that significant Jonathon Martin's parents are lawyers.  That Saturday and Sunday AM we have the first reports of bullying reported by Jonathon Martin's parents, Adam Schefter.  This is the act of lawyer parents wanting to make sure that their son gets his money.  The Dolphins respond by saying there was no bullying, now does anyone think if the Dolphins knew something they would respond like that (I mean other then Chris Carter and the ESPN talking heads).  Incognito proclaims his innocence on twitter stating the proof will come out.  Does this look like the actions of people that thought their was bullying.

Then the Voicemail is released and ESPN gets so far up on its high horse it cannot see the ground.  Keyshawn Johnson (kicked out of the Tampa Bay Bucs locker room), Ray Lewis (covered up a double murder) and Mike Ditka (coached via bullying) all get on their high horse.

But when the locker room is opened, all the players back Incognito, former players on other teams.  It comes out the Vegas story and the story about the restaurant check were false as indicated by Lyndon Murtha and Will Davis.

All unbiased signs once the facts are show the pro bullying forces have one voicemail.  When the preponderance of the evidence indicates Jonathon Martin is mentally ill.  Jonathon Martin needs help for his mental illness.  But ESPN and the sports media in general needs to look at actual facts instead of the narrative that fits their agenda.