Jonathan Martin abruptly departed the Miami Dolphins last week, but the idea may have been in his mind for a while.
We have previously heard that Martin has had “emotional issues” since his rookie season, and Dolphins center and leadership council member, Mike Pouncey, says as a rookie, Martin was having second thoughts about playing pro football.
Per The Miami Herald, Pouncey told Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Cris Carter that Martin considered quitting football during his rookie season.
Here’s what Pouncey told Carter, per The Herald:
Pouncey told Carter, the Hall of Famer later relayed, that Martin had considered quitting football long before leaving the team.
Carter said Pouncey told him: “There were times he struggled as a rookie and contemplated, ‘Am I cut out for this?’ ”
That seems to mesh with what Martin told Richie Incognito over text. Martin reportedly told Incognito that the football culture and locker room got to him, leading him to leave.
Among other issues, it sure seems like Martin may not have fit in in the NFL — or at least with the Dolphins — and came to that realization.
Full Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin history:
Jonathan Martin reportedly went AWOL after cafeteria prank
Jonathan Martin reportedly called ‘Big Weirdo,’ bullied by teammates
Richie Incognito said to be one of Jonathan Martin’s main tormenters
Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito text message conversation
Jonathan Martin reportedly left Dolphins because of emotional issues, not bullying
Jonathan Martin ‘genuinely scared’ of what Richie Incognito might do to him
Richie Incognito suspended indefinitely by Dolphins
Richie Incognito reportedly told Jonathan Martin ‘I’ll kill you’ in racially charged voicemail
Report: Richie Incognito will never play for Dolphins again
Video: Richie Incognito dropped N-bomb during fit of rage at a bar
Antrel Rolle: Jonathan Martin is a ‘grown-ass man,’ just as much to blame as Incognito
Dolphins coaches reportedly asked Richie Incognito to toughen up Jonathan Martin
Richie Incognito makes first comments, says ‘this will pass’
Dolphins players reportedly felt Richie Incognito was ‘honorary’ black man
Brian Hartline: Jonathan Martin laughed at voicemail
