Dolphins O-Line Coach Was Aware Of, Participated In Harassment
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A portion of Ted Wells's investigation into the Miami Dolphins locker room focuses on offensive line coach Jim Turner. According to the report, Turner was aware of much of the harassment suffered by Jonathan Martin and another anonymous teammate at the hands of his players, and in one case even participated in the harassment.
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Throughout the report, Turner denies witnessing or overhearing inappropriate remarks made toward Martin by his teammates, but Wells and his investigators conclude that Turner and another offensive line coach, Chris Mosely, were "Certainly aware of some of the insulting comments directed to Martin by Incognito." The report adds: "It is undisputed that these coaches never sought to stop the behavior."
In one specific case, the report alleges that Turner participated in the homophobic taunting of another Dolphins offensive lineman whom the report identifies as "Player A."
The evidence shows that Coach Turner overheard and participated in this behavior toward Player A. During the 2012 Christmas season, Coach Turner gave all of the offensive linemen gift bags that included a variety of stocking stuffers. In each gift bag except for Player A's, Turner included a female "blow-up" doll; Player A's bag included a male doll. Martin and another player were surprised that Turner did this; Martin further said that he was offended that Turner had endorsed the humiliating treatment of Player A by participating in it. Incognito and others agreed that this incident with Coach Turner occurred. When interviewed, Turner was asked if he gave Player A a male blow-up doll. He replied, "I can't remember." We do not believe that Turner forgot this incident, which many others recalled.
According to the report, "Player A" was repeatedly targeted with homophobic invective and called a "faggot" by his teammates (See more here, under "Homophobic taunting of Player A"). The report states that Turner was aware of this homophobic taunting when he gifted the male blow-up doll to "Player A."
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In November of 2013, Turner had a text-message exchange with Martin in which he urged Martin to release a public statement in defense of Incognito:
Turner: Richie incognito is getting hammered on national TV. This is not right. You could put an end to all the rumors with a simple statement. DO THE RIGHT THING. NOW.
Martin: Coach. I want to put out a statement. Believe me I do. This thing has become such a huge story somehow. But I've been advised not to... And I'm not supposed to text anyone either cuz last time I responded to a teammate (Richie) I was intentionally manipulated and the conversation was immediately forwarded to a reporter.
Turner: He is protecting himself. He has been beat up for 4 days. Put an end to this. You are a grown man. Do the right thing.
Turner: John I want the best for you and your health but make a statement and take the heat off Richie and the lockerroom. This isn't right.
Turner: I know you are a man of character. Where is it?
Turner: It is never to late to do the right thing!
To Turner's credit, he does stand out in the report as someone who seemed to care about Jonathan Martin's mental health. At the beginning of May, 2013, Turner became concerned when Martin missed the first two days of offseason workouts. Turner reached out to Martin, and the two had a meeting where Martin revealed some of the mental distress he had been under and admitted to contemplating suicide. After that conversation, Turner expressed concern about Martin to head coach Joe Philbin, and the two agreed to help get Martin some professional help.