"Flipping out" or victim of abusive environment - that is the issue looming over Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin's reason for leaving the team earlier this week.
FoxSports.com is reporting that persistent teasing and bullying of Martin, a second-year player out of Stanford, by Dolphins teammates during his time in the NFL forced him to take a leave of absence and spend time with his family.
According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, Martin left the Dolphins' headquarters on Monday after what was described as "the latest taunt" when a group of his teammates got up and left a table when he tried to join them for lunch.
FoxSports.com reported that Martin got up and walked out after the incident.
CBSSports.com, however, identified Glazer's report saying that Martin went "AWOL" on Wednesday, in which Glazer said Martin "flipped out" when teammates pulled a prank on him.
The NFL Network's Jeff Darlington reported that Martin is "seeking mental counseling," and that an unidentified player told him that Martin had an "emotional breakdown."
FoxSports.com, however, counters that a source indicated that Martin has tried to deal with "a slew of indignities that crossed into personal and family insults. ..."
One of the insults was reportedly the nickname "Big Weirdo."
FoxSports.com added that the Dolphins supposedly were aware of the bullying toward Martin and the extent of the hazing that NFL rookies and younger players often receive, according to the source.
The report also pointed out that Martin experienced some of that when the Dolphins appeared on the 2012 season of HBO's "Hard Knocks."
The Dolphins declined comment to FOX Sports on Thursday night about whether they were aware of the bullying issue allegedly surrounding Martin.
The NFL Players Association has made inquiries about what happened to Martin, FoxSports.com reported, and is monitoring the situation.
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