Richie Incognito Tackles Jonathan Martin Controversy: ‘My Actions Were Coming From a Place of Love’

“People don’t know how Jon and I communicate to one another,” Incognito said.

Suspended Miami Dolphins player Richie Incognito said the apparently threatening and abusive voicemails and text messages he sent to teammate Jonathan Martin, whom he called a good friend, “were coming from a place of love.”

Incognito, in an interview with Fox’s Jay Glazer, excerpts of which were broadcast today, addressed the accusations of hazing and racism he has faced since his suspension from the team for expletive-laced rants directed at the rookie.

“My actions were coming from a place of love,” Incognito said. “No matter how bad or how vulgar it sounds, that’s how we communicate, that’s how our friendship was. Those are the facts and that’s what I’m accountable for.”

WATCH: Richie Incognito Explains Relationship With Dolphins Teammate

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said the team suspended Incognito indefinitely on Nov. 4 after Martin turned in voicemails and text messages showing Incognito using the N-word to describe Martin and threatening his family, according to ESPN.

The controversy came to light after Fox Sports reported that Martin and other rookies had been forced to pay thousands of dollars for dinner tabs and vacations for more veteran members of the team.

The NFL is now investigating the Dolphins’ workplace, according to Philbin.

Incognito rejected allegations that he was “the face of bullying in America,” but told Glazer, a longtime friend, that he is “embarrassed” when he sees his messages flash across television screens.

“This isn’t an issue about bullying. This is an issue of my and Jon’s relationship where I have taken stuff too far. I did not intend to hurt him,” Incognito said. “When the words are put in the context, I understand why a lot of eyebrows get raised. But people don’t know how Jon and I communicate to one another.”

Incognito turned his cell phone over to Glazer to let him see the 1,142 text messages between the two men in their 18 months as teammates, including some showing that Martin and Incognito have been in contact even after the scandal broke.