National Football League

Did Miami teammate threaten Jonathan Martin?

Published Nov. 4, 2013 12:21 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jonathan Martin's camp has informed both the Miami Dolphins and the NFL Players Association that guard Richie Incognito sent Martin text messages and voicemails that are both threatening and racially charged in nature, according to multiple sources.

Martin's camp told the team they have those messages saved and plan to share them as part of the investigation into why the offensive tackle left the Dolphins this week.

As the revelation was made, the Dolphins announced they have suspended Incognito for conduct detrimental to the team.

"We believe in maintaining a culture of respect for one another, and as a result we believe this decision is in the best interest of the organization at this time," the team statement said.

This new information resulted in the team changing its tone from claiming it was not notified of any bullying to saying the club would ask the NFL for help in investigating a matter the organization takes "very seriously."

The explosive allegations by Martin's camp concerning racially charged threats means the league is not dealing with harassment here. This is an alleged hate crime.

The Dolphins declined specific comment and deferred to the league office, which is handling the investigation. A league spokesman had no comment on the specifics of the case, saying only the NFL will conduct a thorough review.

"We received notification today from Jonathan's representation about allegations of player misconduct," the Dolphins said via statement. "We are taking these allegations very seriously and plan to review the matter further. We have also reached out to the NFL and asked them to conduct an objective and thorough review. As an organization, we are committed to a culture of team-first accountability and respect for one another."

FOX Sports' Alex Marvez reported Martin left Dolphins headquarters Monday after persistent bullying and teasing from some teammates. FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer first reported the final straw was a group of players standing up and leaving when Martin tried joining them for lunch.

Earlier Sunday, the Dolphins had released a statement refuting reports Martin had left the team over bullying.

"The notion of bullying is based on speculation and has not been presented to us as a concern from Jonathan or anyone else internally," the statement read in part.

Incognito took to Twitter to criticize the speculation that he played a part in Martin leaving the team. "I want my named CLEARED," he wrote in one of several tweets defending himself against the allegations.

Martin, a second-round draft pick out of Stanford in 2012, started the first six games at left tackle this season before moving to right tackle for the Oct. 27 loss at New England. Tyson Clabo replaced him in Thursday night's overtime win against Cincinnati.