Jonathan Martin recently discussed with Super Bowl XLIV-winning coach Tony Dungy why he abruptly left the Miami Dolphins during the season.
"I'm a grown man. I've been in locker rooms. There's vulgar language in locker rooms. One instance doesn't bother me. It's the persistence of it," Martin told Dungy in an excerpt of the interview that aired Tuesday on "NBC Nightly News." The full interview will air Wednesday night on NBC Sports Network.
The offensive tackle departed the Dolphinsin late October 2013. Shortly afterward, allegations arose regarding teammate Richie Incognito due to a voice mail in which Incognito used a racial slur and threatened violence toward Martin.
Incognito later defended the message, saying he was just trying to shock a friend and didn't mean to hurt Martin.
"I wish I would have had more tools to solve my situation," Martin said to Dungy. "I felt trapped, like I didn't have a way to make it right. It came down to a point where, you know, I felt it was best to just remove from myself from the situation."
The Dolphins placed Martin on the non-football illness list in late November. Incognito was suspended Nov. 3 and did not return to the Dolphins.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said Tuesday that the NFL's report on the investigation into any possible misconduct in the Dolphins' workplace will be released after Super Bowl XLVIII.
"I have an idea what will be in it. I've been in communication with the NFL," Ross said, per The Miami Herald. I've spoken with (NFL investigator) Ted Wells who is handling the investigation.
"I haven't seen the report," Ross added. "I don't know exactly its conclusions. I believe based on my conversations that ... well, let's put it this way, I don't want to really speculate. When it comes out, we'll do what has to be done but we've already ... In my mind, I know what direction we're going. Stay tuned."
When first asked if either Martin or Incognito would be back with the Dolphins, Ross at first said, "I don't think so," before quickly retracting the statement. Ross noted that Incognito is a free agent and Martin is still under contract with the team.
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