The NFL's testosterone-laced culture, no matter how archaic, is alive and well and coming through in the case of Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin.
Martin has notified the Dolphins about alleged player misconduct, stemming from texts and voicemails Martin turned over to the Dolphins and the league, NFL.com is reporting. The evidence implicates offensive guard Richie Incognito.
Martin abruptly left the team last week after a team prank and is expected to be placed on the non-football injury list later this week, NFL.com added.
NFL Media's Albert Breer obtained a transcript of a voice mail Incognito left to Martin:
"Hey, wassup, you half (expletive) piece of (expletive. I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. I'll (expletive) in your (expletive) mouth. I'm gonna slap your (expletive) mouth, I'm gonna slap your real mother across the face (laughter). (Expletive) you, you're still a rookie. I'll kill you."
Yet, SI.com reported that several of what it labeled as "NFL personnel men" took exception with Martin's handling of the situation - though they were not defending Incognito.
"Locker room culture will never be understood unless you've lived or have been around it," said a personnel man on the condition of anonymity, as reported by SI.com. "This is another ploy in the league's 'player safety' book. Incognito knew who to try. You never heard anything like this come from John Jerry or Mike Pouncey. Instead of being a man and confronting him, he acted like a coward and told like a kid."
Pouncey also is being accused of improper conduct, Breer reported.
"I think Jonathan Martin is a weak person," another personnel man. "If Incognito did offend him racially, that's something you have to handle as a man! Mike Pouncey was a rookie at one point while Incognito was there and you never heard any complaints from him. There's no other way to put it, other than him being sofTTT!"
Said another: "Guys are going to be guys, if you know what I mean. I'm sure there are some instances of 'taking things too far,' but that happens everywhere. You handle it in house -- fight, handle it on the field, joke about it, etc -- and keep it moving."
SI.com reported that players and NFL personnel wondered aloud why Martin didn't confront Incognito directly to deal with the issue.
"I might get my (butt) kicked," one said, "but I'm going to go down swinging if that happens to me, I can tell you that."
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