The line between normal teasing and team-wide bullying seems to be in dispute in the case of Jonathan Martin.
Fox Sports reported on Thursday night that Martin left the Dolphins after teammates got up after he tried to join them in the cafeteria. It was the final straw for the offensive lineman, who was the subject of persistent verbal jabs at himself and his family because of his Stanford background and for having two parents who are lawyers. Dolphins players dubbed him ”Big Weirdo,” according to the report.
The Dolphins played without Martin on Thursday night in their 22-20 overtime win over the Bengals. They voiced their support of Martin, whose return to the team remains in question. Offensive guard Nate Garner told the Palm Beach Post that the treatment of Martin was “normal stuff,” but added he was a “great dude” and a “good ballplayer.”
Tyler Clabo, who started in Martin’s place on Thursday, said he hopes Martin returns to the team.
“I want him to come back to work. He’s a talented young football player,” Clabo told the paper of Martin, who was in his second year in the league.
“I can’t say what he’s feeling. I know if and when he wants to come back that I will be there to shake his hand.”
Before his teammates spoke up, Martin chimed in, albeit cryptically, on the situation.
“Happy Halloween! Don’t believe everything you read,” he posted on his Facebook page, according to Pro Football Talk.
Martin has reportedly sought treatment since walking out, though the nature of it is unknown.