Jonathan Martin reveals multiple suicide attempts during NFL career
In a lengthy Facebook post, former NFL offensive lineman Jonathan Martin says he attempted suicide on multiple occasions during his pro career.
In his post, Martin detailed his struggles with depression and being bullied, dating back to middle school.
“Your job leads you to attempt to kill yourself on multiple occasions,” Martin wrote. “Your self-perceived social inadequacy dominates your every waking moment & thought. You’re petrified of going to work.”
Martin’s post, which contains strong language, is below. Click through to the tweet to zoom in on the images.
Martin, 25, announced earlier this month that he was retiring from the NFL. He started all 16 games for the Miami Dolphins as a rookie in 2012 and started the first seven games of the 2013 season before leaving the team due to harassment from his teammates. An investigation by Ted Wells determined that three of Martin’s offensive linemates, chiefly guard Richie Incognito, “engaged in a pattern of harassment.”
Martin was traded to the San Francisco 49ers before the 2014 season, where he was reunited with his college coach Jim Harbaugh. He appeared in 15 games, including nine starts, and was waived in March. Martin was then claimed by the Carolina Panthers and opted to retire after he suffered a back injury.
- Dan Gartland
