Q: Missed the first question.
A: This story goes far beyond sports. It's about race, it's about bullying.
Q: The voicemail that Richie reportedly left, has anyone heard it or do we just have the transcript.
A; I have not heard it, some people at ESPN have, but I've heard that there is another line in the voicemail that hasn't been released yet and supposedly can add more context to it all. What Richie said was horrible and I'm not defending the language he used in the voicemail. But we need to hear it all to know full context.
Q: What is the line that's left out, that they omitted?
A: After Richie goes on his foul rant, he laughs, and then his tone of voice changes and Richie very calmly says... "Okay, Call me Back."
Understand 2 things, Jon Martin called him back. Also according to Hartline and other players, Martin played the voicemail for the team and it became a joke. Jon was even laughing about it.
Q: I'm missing something, the more I know the less I know, he leaves the team, he's dealing with stress, they hang out all the time, they're best friends, what am I missing here?
A: Everything. These two guys are besties, they sit together on the team plane, they're hanging out on Burbon St together partying and even went on a carriage ride together in New Orleans. Just last week prior to leaving the team, Martin got into a scuffle with Dion. Do you know the first person to jump in an defend Martin? Incognito was in the middle immediately, then pouncey, then the D-Line jumped in the scuffle. The idea that Richie and Martin weren't close has been clearly proven wrong with all they did together and with what the teammates said.
Q: So why was Richie suspended indefinitely?
A: Conduct Detrimental to the team.
Q: So now the story comes out that Ireland told Martin to stand up for himself and punch the bully?
A: Yeah supposedly he told that to Martin's agent, again, we need context. I didn't hear the conversation, and you're telling me that's a normal conversation between a NFL GM and NFL Agent, is that how they really talk? Tell me why the only thing, the key phrase that comes out of the convo is punch him in the face?? Ireland has 2 daughters that suffer from Autism. I've seen what he does to raise awareness and how he raises his kids, I not sure he's telling people to go around and punch people in the face.
Q: So What's next?
A: Well the NFL review is under way, if coaches knew, that will come out. If Ireland said punch him in the face and only that, it will come out. If Richie is a racist bully, that will come out. If Martin has emotional or mental problems, or has another agenda, I assume that will also come out. But I can assure you, that no one will be happy when it all ends.
Q: How did the voicemail become public? Which side leaked it??
A: Martin's side leaked it.
Q: Wait, Even though he laughed at it and played it for the team?
A: His team seems to have a game plan. Ground work has been laid for lawsuits, for workplace harassment. This Voicemail is only one part of it. More to come.
Closing statement DP: Well, Enjoy the circus!
A: Funny you mention that, When the media was allowed into the locker room yesterday, a player was playing the circus theme for our entrance.
