Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito teammates say nothing seemed wrong between players
(CBS News) Nothing seemed wrong between Miami Dolphins players Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, fellow teammates say.
Now, photos -- including one taken in late September showing a smiling Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin posing with a fan and another showing the pair sitting together on a flight -- have surfaced, showing nothing seemed wrong between the two. The same seemed true in the Dolphins locker room, according to players.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odick said, "Nobody was really notified of anything or saw anything that was harmful."
Not until Martin abruptly left the team just over a week ago following alleged bullying by Incognito, who reportedly sent profane and racist messages to Martin -- in one text message allegedly calling Martin, who is biracial, "a half (N-word)."
Still, questions have been raised about the context of these messages, and some teammates suggest Incognito was vulgar, but not vicious.
Sources tell CBS News that when a fight occurred between Martin and rookie defensive end Dion Jordan at a practice two weeks ago, Incognito immediately jumped in, and defended Martin.
Former Miami Dolphins player Lydon Murtha said, "The guy you place next to is your best buddy, that is who you are going to war with every game."
Murtha says the two were friends. He concedes that Incognito may have been tough, but argues he had Martin's best interests in mind. Murtha said, "Any position in a leadership role is to take a young kid and mold him into the best player he can be. It was trying to get him to open up and become a man in a men's game."
Martin, who claims he was the victim of extreme hazing, has hired a prominent sports attorney. On Thursday night, that attorney issued a statement, claiming Martin endured physical abuse.
Jonathan Martin's lawyer: Harassment went way too far
Martin's attorney David Cornwell says his client faced harassment that went far beyond the traditional locker room hazing. The attorney claims Martin endured a "malicious physical attack...by a teammate." He also says some Dolphin players made vulgar threats about Martin's sister.
And now, there are reports Incognito, who has been suspended from the Miami Dolphins, will file a grievance against the team.