Jonathan Martin’s NFL struggle exposed deeper battles with mental health and respect.
Highlights
- Jonathan Martin faced severe harassment in the NFL, including racial slurs and bullying, which exacerbated his struggles with depression and anxiety.
- Despite seeking therapy and medication, Martin felt that his core challenge was earning respect in the locker room, highlighting deeper issues in NFL culture.
- His experience shed light on mental health struggles in professional sports, leading him to become an advocate for mental health awareness and CTE research.
Born on August 19, 1989, Martin emerged from an accomplished academic background.
His parents, both Harvard graduates, set high expectations.
His father, Gus Martin, was a criminal justice professor at California State University, while his mother, Jane Howard-Martin, was a corporate lawyer for Toyota.
Martin’s path to professional football took shape at Stanford University, where he majored in classics.
His college career showcased his potential as an offensive tackle.
He protected future NFL star Andrew Luck’s blind side and earned All-American honors from Scout.com.
The Cardinal’s offensive line, anchored by Martin, allowed just six sacks in his sophomore year, ranking second in the FBS.
His junior year brought more accolades, including recognition from the Walter Camp Foundation.
The Miami Dolphins selected Martin in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.
His professional career started at right tackle, though he later moved to left tackle. Despite his draft status, Martin struggled with performance issues.
Pro Football Focus ranked him 63rd out of 69 NFL tackles during his rookie season.
His career included stints with the San Francisco 49ers and a brief sign-up with the Carolina Panthers.
Martin’s NFL journey ended in 2015, citing a back injury. His career spanned just four seasons, falling short of the expectations set by his collegiate success.
Jonathan Martin’s Emotional Messages to His Parents Shed Light on the Toll of NFL Locker Room Abuse
Jonathan Martin’s struggle for respect in the NFL locker room revealed deeper personal challenges.
The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman faced intense harassment from teammates, particularly from Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey, and John Jerry.
The situation exposed Martin’s long-standing battle with depression and anxiety.
In heart-wrenching messages to his parents, Martin laid bare his emotional turmoil.
On April 22, 2013, he confided in his mother:
“I figured out a major source of my anxiety. I’m a push over, a people pleaser. I avoid confrontation whenever I can, I always want everyone to like me. I let people talk about me, say anything to my face, and I just take it, laugh it off, even when I know they are intentionally trying to disrespect me. I mostly blame the soft schools I went to, which fostered within me a feeling that I’m a huge pussy, as I never got into fights. I used to get verbally bullied every day in middle school and high school, by kids that are half my size. I would never fight back, just get sad & feel like no one wanted to be my friend, when in fact I was just being socially awkward. Most people in that situation are witty & quick with sarcastic replies, I never have been. I’m awkward around people a lot of the time because I simply don’t know how to act around them . . .”
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His mother responded with empathy and insight, suggesting professional help:
“There are people in the world with their own insecurities and they tend to be bullies and confront people. Dealing with them can be a challenge. I think when you feel really good about yourself they won’t bother you as much because you won’t let them define you.”
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The racial abuse Martin endured sparked painful exchanges with his father.
In April 2013, Martin wrote:
“People call me a Nigger to my face. Happened 2 days ago. And I laughed it off. Because I am too nice of a person.”
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His father shared his own experiences with racial discrimination, advising Martin to stand up for himself while acknowledging his own past struggles with similar situations.
Martin’s depression deepened as the harassment continued.
In January 2013, he revealed to his mother:
“I have really severe depression. There are many instances where I can’t get out of bed… I’m really embarrassed to talk about it with anyone in person.”
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By May 2013, his condition had worsened:
“I just don’t really see the point in things. It’s a major accomplishment for me if I brush my teeth or eat more than 1 meal in a day on off days.”
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The NFL investigation, led by Ted Wells, uncovered disturbing details.
Martin endured racial slurs, sexually explicit comments about his family members, and constant questioning of his masculinity.
The harassment took a severe toll on his mental health.
Martin’s mother flew to Florida to support him and encourage professional help.
The Dolphins’ head coach, Joe Philbin, promised Martin’s father to help address the situation.
Martin tried therapy and medication, but these solutions couldn’t resolve his core challenge. In a revealing message to his mother, he wrote,
“A therapist & medication won’t help me gain the respect of my teammates.”
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His struggle extended beyond mental health treatment. By June 2013, he expressed a deeper crisis:
“I just feel trapped. I feel like I have no agency in my life. Too many expectations. I’m losing my will to compete, which is the scariest thing an athlete can ever say.”
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Years after leaving the NFL, Martin opened up about his ongoing mental health journey.
At 32, he acknowledged that therapy and medication have helped manage his depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
He believes his 13 years in football contributed to his struggles.
Brain scans showed evidence of moderate concussions, suggesting a possible link between his football career and mental health challenges.
His experience sparked important conversations about bullying, mental health support, and workplace culture in the NFL.
Today, Martin advocates for better mental health awareness in sports. He has pledged his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to advance CTE research.
Additional Information
- During his high school years at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, Martin earned All-Mission League honors for two consecutive years (2006-2007).
- After his retirement, Martin spent time as a national spokesperson for Beyond Differences, an organization focused on preventing bullying and creating inclusive communities in Bay Area middle and high schools.
- Martin has nine relatives who graduated from Harvard, including his grandfather, who was a professor in international development, and his maternal great-grandfather, who was one of only a dozen black students at Harvard in the 1920s.
