Can a NFL player be bullied?
League investigating threats against Miami Dolphins player by teammate
The family of the Miami Dolphins player who was allegedly bullied by a teammate is “doing fine,” his father told Fox News on Tuesday.
Gus Martin, the father of Jonathan Martin, said his son wants to speak out and address the controversy that led him to leave the team amid threatening and racially-charged text messages and voicemails that were allegedly sent by teammate and guard Richie Incognito.
But the elder Martin offered no timetable for when or where that would happen.
The Miami Dolphins suspended Incognito late Sunday for misconduct related to the alleged harassment of Martin, who abruptly left the team a week ago to receive help for emotional issues.
"We believe in maintaining a culture of respect for one another," the Dolphins said in a statement released shortly before midnight on Sunday, "and as a result we believe this decision is in the best interest of the organization at this time. ... We will continue to work with the league on this matter."
A source who is described as having direct knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald that younger players on the Dolphins team are under pressure to pay for veterans’ social outings, likening them to personal ATMs.
The source said younger players – some of whom make around $400,000 a year – were handed the tab for a $30,000 team dinner. One defensive player whose privacy is being protected is on his way to becoming broke for not being able to say no to the older players’ demands, the source added.
"Everything tastes better when rookies pay for it," veteran Miami defensive lineman Jared Odrick tweeted Friday.
Sources also told ESPN that Incognito asked Martin to contribute $15,000 to finance a trip to Las Vegas by some Dolphins players in 2012. Martin reportedly did not travel with the group.
Martin, who is an offensive tackle, left the Dolphins on Oct. 28, raising questions about the role harassment from teammates played in his departure. It's unclear whether or when he's expected back.
Incognito, a ninth-year pro, earned a reputation as one of the NFL's dirtiest players when he was with the St. Louis Rams. But he has won frequent praise for his leadership since joining the Dolphins in 2010, and this year he was voted by teammates to serve as a member of the Dolphins' player council.
The Dolphins have attributed Martin's absence to an illness not tied to football.
Fox News' Lee Ross and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.