Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he was shocked when learning how the situation devolved between teammates Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin.
"If you asked Jonathan Martin who his best friend is on this team two weeks ago, he'd say Richie Incognito," Tannehill said during a Wednesday media session. "(The) first guy to stand up for Jonathan when anything went down on the field -- any kind of tussle -- Richie was the first guy there. When they wanted to hang out outside of football, who was together? Richie and Jonathan. I'm not in those guys' shoes. I can't explain what's going on."
The NFL announced Wednesday it had appointed Ted Wells as special counsel to investigate the Dolphins situation.
Incognito was suspended indefinitely Sunday for conduct detrimental to the team, a move that capped a flurry of developments concerning Martin, the offensive tackle who suffered an emotional breakdown at the team's complex last week. NFL Media's Albert Breer obtained a transcript of a voice mail that Incognito left Martin, which directed threats and a racial slur toward the second-year pro. The NFL and the Dolphins have heard the voice mail.
Tannehill said he never heard the voice mail and defended Incognito's character.
"All I know about Richie is that he's a great teammate to me," Tannehill said. "I saw him be a great teammate all the time. Does he like to give guys a hard time? Yes. Does he like to pester guys and have fun? Yes. He brought a lot of laughter to this locker room. He brought a lot of cohesiveness to this locker room. He was the best teammate I could ask for."
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