On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins lifted the three-month suspension of guard Richie Incognito, days before NFL investigator Ted Wells is set to release his findings into allegations that Incognito bullied and tormented offensive lineman, Jonathan Martin, ESPN reports.
"I would to thank my family and friends for their continued love and support. It's official," Incognito tweeted, once he heard that the suspension had been lifted. The action serves as more of a symbolic gesture since the NFL season is over.
Incognito also tweeted a show of support to Jonathan Martin, which is odd considering it was Martin who claimed that Incognito was at the center of a vulgar locker-room culture that drove him to leave the team in the middle of the season. Martin claimed that Incognito bullied him and used racially offensive language. Incognito claimed that the two were friends.
Earlier this week, more than 1,000 text messages exchanged between Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito were released on the Big Lead and paint a disturbing picture of a friendship. The tweets include language describing strippers, hookers and drug use.
The two exchanged texts about drunken blackouts, Pac-12 championship games and pulling pranks on each other. In the text messages that range from October 2012 to November of 2013, it appears that the two shared a penchant for rowdy language, booze and women.
Richie Incognito: Hell yea Did u go to pouncey's after? I'll kill u if u did
Jonathan Martin: Lol hell no
JM: No drugs for me rest of season
RI: Goooood That s—t is ridiculous
JM: Do we have weigh ins tomorrow? Debating this Papa Johns move right now
RI: Yes we do
On Oct. 28, Martin left the team.
Texts from Oct. 28:
RI: Yooooo
RI: What's up?
RI: Call me
RI: Yooo U alright Text me back
RI: U good dude?
From Oct. 29:
RI: What's up dude Glad to hear Ur ok I'm here if u ever need to talk. I've been through enough s—t myself to understand.
RI: I miss Ur stinky armpits
On Nov. 1, the story broke about the Dolphins' locker-room culture, and Martin finally responded to Incognito's text messages.
From Nov. 1:
RI: How u doing buddy? Feeling better?? I miss us
JM: Wassup man? The worlds gone crazy lol I'm good tho congrats on the win
RI: Thanks dude It's unbelievable all the attention this is getting. All that's important is that you feel better and know we miss u dude
JM: Yeah I'm good man. It's insane bro but just know I don't blame you guys at all it's just the culture around football and the locker room got to me a little.
JM: Btw… Never check yourself into a mental hospital
RI: I hear ya It's a lot to take in I've checked myself in before I had to threaten to beat everyone up for them to let me out. Not fun
JM: Yeah bro it was the worst. I almost snapped and started breaking s—t
RI: Hahahaha That's exactly what I was feeling
RI: The brain is a tricky thing My brain has been to far out places and back
JM: Yeah man. How you feeling? Heard you got hurt
RI: I'm good Got a crazy stinger Lost feeling in my arm MRI came back clean tho I'll be ok
JM: Damn. Good to hear bro
RI: Have u beat GTA yet?
JM: Nah I'm back in LA so wont get a chance to for a little while. Hbu?
RI: I'm getting close About to nerd the f—k out this weekend
RI: Good to hear from u bro If u need anything hit me up. I'm here for you my dude
JM: Fsho bro. Take it easy
Later that same day around 7:50 p.m., Incognito sent Martin a link to an ESPN story that claimed that Incognito was at the center of the controversy.
RI: What's up with this?
JM: I got nothing to do with it man I haven't said anything to anyone.
RI: I heard it's all coming from Ur agent? I need you buddy I'm getting killed in the media. Bro can we talk? The dolphins are talking about releasing me.
Those would be the last texts between the two. While there has been no word as to what the independent investigation will show, a safe money bet is that both Incognito and Martin have played their last downs as Miami Dolphins.
Read more at ESPN and the Big Lead.