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This morning, the Miami Dolphins released a statement stressing that the team was not under investigation by the NFL Players Association and that there was no indication of "bullying," as has been speculated. However, some sort of notification of player misconduct was received by the team today, coming from offensive tackle Jonathan Martin's representation.
The Dolphins released the following statement this afternoon, after receiving the allegations:
"We received notification today from Jonathan's representation about allegations of player misconduct. We are taking these allegations very seriously and plan to review the matter further. We have also reached out to the NFL and asked them to conduct an objective and thorough review. As an organization, we are committed to a culture of team-first accountability and respect for one another."
Martin left the team on Monday after a prank from some members of the team resulted in him having an emotional response, slamming his lunch tray down and walking out of the team's training facilities. Martin was said to be receiving treatment for emotional issues, but speculation swirled that the reason for the issues was bullying from the team, specifically guard Richie Incognito. Those allegations have been refuted by the team, Incognito, and, apparently, Martin himself through a text exchange with Incognito.
Tweets today from Adam Beasley has now turned the focus of the situation to players forcing rookies to pay for trips and meals. According to Beasley, it is so bad that one defensive player has gone broke from being pressured to pay for the veterans at various events. Beasley wrote that "veterans are using young players as an ATM."
Of course, this is not an issue limited to just the Dolphins. Every team, every year, has veterans forcing rookies to pay for things. Beasley wrote that in a later tweet as well.
With the Dolphins, and by their invitation the NFL, now investigating the allegations of player misconduct, more on this story will likely come out over the next few days and weeks. Where it will go, and what will be found, we will have to wait and see.
Until then, it appears the black cloud of this situation will continue to sit over the Dolphins, and it may continue to darken more and more. Hopefully Martin is able to get the help he needs for whatever issues he may have, and the Dolphins players are able to use this as a learning opportunity that fixes whatever locker room culture has found its way into the franchise, and the league.
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