Miami's Martin leaves team after 'emotional breakdown'

[Mr. Laz]

Jonathan Martin leaves Dolphins after 'breakdown'

By Dan Hanzus
Around the League Writer
Published: Oct. 30, 2013 at 06:39 p.m. Updated: Oct. 30, 2013 at 07:00 p.m.
An unusual situation is unfolding in Miami, where Dolphins right tackle Jonathan Martin has left the team after suffering an "emotional breakdown" this week.

NFL Media's Jeff Darlington reported Wednesday that Martin is currently seeking help with his family after an incident at the team's cafeteria, according to team sources.

Martin is listed on the team's injury report with an illness, and is doubtful to play Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that Martin was the victim of a prank at the cafeteria, becoming enraged enough to "smash his food tray on the ground."

The second-year pro has not been with the team since that time. Darlington reports that Martin immediately sought treatment at a local hospital. He has since left the hospital and is now spending time with his family, according to team sources.

Martin opened the season as the Dolphins' replacement for Jake Long at left tackle. He was moved to right tackle when the team acquired Bryant McKinnie via trade last week. Tyson Clabo is expected to start in Martin's place on Thursday.

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[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Meaning what? Is it appropriate to berate those with known mental issues? Why do his mental issues provide "the whole story" for some of you?

Of course it's not ok, but from the sound of it, it seems like Incognito was treating Martin like one of the boys. Look at the videos of Incognito, he doesn't exactly come across as sensitive and wanting to cater to some depressed kid. I've known guys like Incognito. They don't care if you're sensitive. They want you you cheer up and have a good time, have a few laughs even if the laughs are at your own expense.

That is the culture of being a young male. It's not going away, and most of us can deal with it.

It sounds like the team DID try to include Martin, NOT single him out. But if Martin is in such a state that he can't realize that, is that the teams fault for trying to treat him as if he were normal, as if he were one of the boys?

They're football players. They're not here to cater to his feelings.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Just as I suspected. They compared them to the entire population. Thanks.

Why would they not compare them to the entire population?

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Why would they not compare them to the entire population?

Better access to health care and generally higher socioeconomic status

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Meaning what? Is it appropriate to berate those with known mental issues? Why do his mental issues provide "the whole story" for some of you?

We are still not sure exactly what happened here so I am not sure where you are getting the whole story dealio from. Quit trying to stir the pot. It's like you are desperately seeking some drama in your life or something.

If indeed the guy has mental issues how would have his teammates have known that to say it's OK to berate somebody that has them? If he does he shouldn't be playing a violent game with a bunch of testosterone filled maniacs.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

But is it justified to prod these people to toughen them up?

If you want my answer, it would be no. Instead of being a full on dickbag to toughen him up, Incognito (or someone with slightly more common sense) should have told him to seek medical help for his mental illness.

It's very easy tell someone to be confident and mentally strong, but the reality is mental illness is a disease. Though it isn't tangible, and we can't measure it on a blood panel, MRI, CT, etc., it should be treated like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or any other illness. Mental illness has predispositions (genetics, environment) just like any other disease we perceive as serious, and the consequences can be as profound.

What Incognito did was the equivalent of giving a diabetic increasing glucose injections, and the final one sent him into a hyperglycemic diabetic coma.

Right.

I understand what you're saying and I agree.

BUT

The reality of the situation and the culture between young men doesn't make it realistic. People are siding with Incognito now because as men, we know what it's like dealing with other men. We get an idea of what it may be like inside an NFL locker room.

Does Incognito strike you as thoughtful, kind and considerate?

**** no.

He' big, agressive and maybe even a bit of a bully. Qualities that we look for in an NFL lineman. That is the culture of the NFL. It's always been that way. Always will be that way.

Clearly, Rich's idea for getting Martin out of his shell was to treat him the way he treats everyone else. There is nothing to suggest that he meant anything malicious towards Martin, however when the story broke, everyone wanted to paint Incognito as some racist bully when apparently that's not the truth at all.

I doubt Rich is thinking about Martin's feewings. He probably did care about Martin, he did take him under his wing. He gave him "tough love". Martin simply couldn't deal with the pressures of the NFL. That's HIS problem.

THAT is why people side with Incognito.

[jspchief]

When did Mer come back, and where's Endelt?

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Better access to health care and generally higher socioeconomic status

So?

The ratio is still low, regardless of the reason.

"But it's only lower because they have more money!"

So what.

Bottom line?

It's still low.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Right.

I understand what you're saying and I agree.

BUT

The reality of the situation and the culture between young men doesn't make it realistic. People are siding with Incognito now because as men, we know what it's like dealing with other men. We get an idea of what it may be like inside an NFL locker room.

Does Incognito strike you as thoughtful, kind and considerate?

**** no.

He' big, agressive and maybe even a bit of a bully. Qualities that we look for in an NFL lineman. That is the culture of the NFL. It's always been that way. Always will be that way.

Clearly, Rich's idea for getting Martin out of his shell was to treat him the way he treats everyone else. There is nothing to suggest that he meant anything malicious towards Martin, however when the story broke, everyone wanted to paint Incognito as some racist bully when apparently that's not the truth at all.

I doubt Rich is thinking about Martin's feewings. He probably did care about Martin, he did take him under his wing. He gave him "tough love". Martin simply couldn't deal with the pressures of the NFL. That's HIS problem.

THAT is why people side with Incognito.

And as long as people approach this problem as such, the sigma attached to mental health will continue to be perpetuated.

Don't show weakness. Be a man. Be the warrior we expect out of NFL players, not some normal guy with mental illness that happens to be a really good football player.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

And as long as people approach this problem as such, the sigma attached to mental health will continue to be perpetuated.

Don't show weakness. Be a man. Be the warrior we expect out of NFL players, not some normal guy with mental illness that happens to be a really good football player.

If he has mental illness he shouldn't be playing in the NFL, period.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

So?

The ratio is still low, regardless of the reason.

"But it's only lower because they have more money!"

So what.

Bottom line?

It's still low.

Access to health care is not a big deal? Money and stability is not a big deal?

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

If he has mental illness he shouldn't be playing in the NFL, period.

Why, question mark?

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

And as long as people approach this problem as such, the sigma attached to mental health will continue to be perpetuated.

Don't show weakness. Be a man. Be the warrior we expect out of NFL players, not some normal guy with mental illness that happens to be a really good football player.

This is simple. You have two solutions here.

Seek help and try to fix the problem

or

Don't be a part of that culture.

The culture isn't going to change, and the more i think about MY situation when i had to take private therapy sessions as well as group therapy and be on antidepressants....and the more i think about the backgrounds from a lot of NFL players (i.e growing up poor, in the ghetto etc) i can start to understand the resentment that has been reported inside the locker room for Martin.

You have a large group of players who struggled and fought bad circumstances to get where they are, and then you have a guy like Martin who was born with a silverspoon.

I'm sure there is a lot of, "toughen the **** up, what do you have to be depressed about?" animosity towards him.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Why, question mark?

Really? It is a very violent game that requires an enormous amount of physical and mental toughness. They were obviously trying to harden him because the tackles on this team were the worst in the league which is why he was being replaced. Come on man, this is pretty simple stuff.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Access to health care is not a big deal? Money and stability is not a big deal?

The reason doesn't matter.

Again, the bottom line is the ratio is low.

Regardless of the reason...you can't ignore the fact that it's not an issue.

Is access to healthcare part of the reason it's low? Maybe. But does it matter? **** no. The ratio is low. Period. End of story.

And you also need to account for any issues the players may have had PRIOR to being in the NFL in order to draw any conclusions about the suicide rate (which is low).

It's a silly argument with no legs to stand on right now.

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by jspchief

When did Mer come back, and where's Endelt?

You know, I've showered a few times since the last time we were together.