“Hates that he’s being first associated with being a victim”… this doesn’t seem the most obvious explanation for his turnabout.
Why not just believe him and take him at his word ? He never felt it was bullying then and certainly not today as he looks to free his conscience.
He wasn’t strong enough then to end any unwanted banter/hazing/abuse or whatever you want to call it, he wasn’t even strong even to tell his mother he wasn’t being bullied, it seems he reached a point in his life that he can stand on his own and speak for himself finally and good for him I’m glad he has.
Incognito said things in a pro locker room that most people find horrible and that’s certainly true, Martin mishandled the situation in a fashion in which he now regrets and is now wanting to be truthful and honest, not because he doesn’t want to be seen as a victim but because he’s reached a point in his life that he can speak for himself as a full grown functioning man.